Mont Ventoux
The Giant of Provence is truly a mountain like no other, it is more than just a cycling climb and its history and mythical statue in Provence has impacted the region for centuries.
Situated closer in kilometres to the Alps than the Pyrenees, but in nature nothing like either, Mont Ventoux is visible from 100 kilometres away in all directions and with its deforested peak has the elusion of being snow-capped throughout the year. The rugged, desert like appearance on the top of Mont Ventoux acts only to enhance the difficulty of riding this iconic climb as you enter from a sheltered forest to a harsh landscape with swirling winds and relentless heat.
Cyclists have been making the pilgrimage to Ventoux for decades, the first race to the summit of the Giant was in the 1935 Circuit du Mont Ventoux which, started a long history of bike racing on the mountain with the Tour de France first riding up in 1951.
One mystery among many that have climbed Ventoux – is if not cycling’s greatest or hardest climb, surely it's the most beguiling mountain.