Haute Route Ventoux
Riding Days
4
Number of Nights
3
Total Distance
220km
Total Climbing
6,600 metres
Difficulty
4/5
At a Glance
We are very excited to be partnering with the Haute Route to bring you the Haute Route Ventoux. Riders will summit the ‘Giant of Provence’ three times in three days, totalling 6,600 metres of climbing! By completing the weekend, it will be fair to say you have well and truly conquered this famed mountain.
Based in Provence, the event is centred on a mountain steeped in cycling history. You will have the chance to ascend this legendary mountain from all three sides over the course of the weekend, each ascent offering its own challenges and rewards.
Along the course, you will be following in the footsteps of many professionals who have battled up these slopes during the Tour de France, having been included 17 times since 1951.
Open to a relatively small field of riders, the race always promotes a unique atmosphere of competition and camaraderie.
With rider classifications and times posted on a daily basis, leader’s jerseys, team prizes and a professional level of support, the Haute Route is the closest experience amateur riders will have to a Grand Tour stage race. Whatever you aim for, the Haute Route is the ultimate challenge for all riders who take their riding seriously, and La Fuga will be providing the most comprehensive support packages to match.
Take advantage of the Haute Route Ventoux entry, also available via our website - Haute Route Ventoux Entry
Tour Highlights
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Asphalt
Ride this iconic mountain 3 times in 3 days with La Fuga’s customary pro support. Our pro-level mechanics will keep your bikes running smoothly and our soigneurs will bring tired legs back to life, As always you will have one of our experienced tour managers to brief you thoroughly each night in anticipation of the following day’s stage.
Book Tour
€965.00 – €1,650.00
Overview
About the Region
The absolute magnificence of the Mont Ventoux will not disappoint you as you’ll get to fully acquaint yourself with this mountain during the trip. The surrounding area is perhaps equally fantastic for bike riding, with the breath-taking Gorges de la Nesque lying to the south. A narrow road cut high into the side of a deep gorge provides spectacular views as we roll through.
Provence is renowned for its wine production, mild winters and long warm summers, grapes dancing with the mistral winds make the perfect region to produce wine. The appellations of Côtes du Ventoux, Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are all within sight of the Mont Ventoux. It’s not only the wine which is famous in this region but Lavender is grown in huge quantities, and although during the months of June and July you will smell it growing everywhere, you are sure to see the immaculate lavender fields stretching into the distance as you ride around the mountain.
Region and Challenges
Mont Ventoux is legendary as one of the most gruelling climbs of the Tour de France, having featured sixteen times since 1951. The race organisers usually take the peloton up through the town of Bédoin and past the legendary Chalet Reynard before going on to the barren ‘moonscape’ as they approach the summit. It has picked up many nicknames in its Tour de France history, the ‘Géant de Provence’, the ‘bald mountain’ or the ‘windy mountain’ are just a few. It’s considered that the name Ventoux itself derives from ‘venteux’ or windy. It is not unusual for speeds to reach over 90+kmh at the top. Its isolated position not being part of any other mountain range and its position in the Rhone valley means it is susceptible to the mistral winds and with the top half having no vegetation adding to the severity of the wind.
Cycling Tales
In 1967 British hero Tom Simpson collapsed and died on the mountain sweltering heat as he was only 1km from the top. You’ll pass his memorial 1km from the summit and it’s customary to doff your cap as you ride past the memorial as a homage to Mr Tom. His death was found out to be due to a concoction of Brandy and Amphetamines combined with dehydration and exhaustion from the extreme heat of the day.
In 1970, Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse when he won the stage over Ventoux. He received oxygen, recovered, and went on to win the Tour. In 1994, Eros Poli, not known for his climbing ability, broke away at the beginning of the day’s stage, built up a substantial time gap from the peloton and was first over the mountain, eventually winning the stage in Carpentras, despite losing a minute per kilometre to the chasers on the ascent. He hit the bottom of the climb with 24 minutes lead and he calculated that he could lose a minute per kilometre to the climbers more adapted to the mountain than he was and still win. The stage was unusual as it didn’t finish at the summit but after the descent in Carpentras. He actually gained time on the descent and went on to win and has since earnt the nickname Monsieur Ventoux, a name which has not been bestowed on any of the climbers who have won there. This video shows his spectacular victory:
Famous Cyclists
In 2016 the ascent of Ventoux ended in chaos as Team Sky’s Chris Froome – wearing the yellow jersey – crashed and broke his bike and was forced to run to maintain position. The wind had essentially caused the situation to unfold. With the winds at the top being so strong the organisers decided to move the finish line to Chalet Reynard – 6km from the summit. The crowds – as always – were numerous, but with the course being shorter they were forced into the final few kilometres creating a bottleneck which stopped one of the leading motorbikes in its tracks. The riders going full gas around the corner the only 1km from the finish had no way to the avoid the motorbike and the leading three riders crashed together into the motorbike, with Froome breaking his bike in the process. The crash and Froome’s on-foot ascent was caught all on camera. Click to see the clip here
Climate
Gearing
Details
What's Included
What's not Included
Itinerary
Your guides will meet you at Marseille Airport before we travel to Bedoin in order to sign on for the event The journey from the airport to Bedoin is just over an hour.
The afternoon will be spent with your Tour Manager, who will be able to guide you all to the race village for all pre-race administration. Please remember to bring your hardshell helmet, thermal jacket, overshoes, long finger gloves and leg warmers with you for inspection. You will also require ID to collect your Haute Route Welcome packs.
Once you’ve had a chance to look around the race village and receive your race packs we will travel the short distance to Mazan. Here we will help you check in and our mechanic will put together. If there is time before dinner then there will be a chance for a short ride to get the legs ready for the next few days of riding.
We will be eating in the hotel restaurant. Tour Manager will be on hand with some race tips for the coming days.
Stage one of the Haute Route Ventoux will kick off in Bédoin, located in the beautiful Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France.
The first climb of the day is not one you´ll forget quickly, from Venasque you will head to the Col de Murs where you will ride in the winding Gorges de la Nesque – a real sight to see. At 10.5km long and with an average gradient of 4.3% – this is one that will challenge you from the get-go.
After the exit from Murs the col shows its true character, it winds between the rocks in a Gorge where winds and turns. Take a moment at the end of the col to look back at what you have accomplished so far. From Murs, you will enter the Parc Naturel du Luberon, which shows off the true beauty of the Provence countryside and its quiet rolling roads and picturesque lavender fields.
As you traverse through narrow roads, enjoy the moment of tranquillity before you head to not one but two epic climbs: Col de la Ligne and Col de la Liguière from Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, before you head back north toward Sault where you will start the final climb of the day – the Mont Ventoux. End the day at an altitude of 1,417 metres, on the southern face of Mont Ventoux in Chalet Reynard, just 5KM from the Giant Provence, giving you a little taster of what´s to come on the second and final day of the 3-day race.
As Stage Two sets off, you will head towards the famous Dentelles de Montmirail – a small chain of mountains located just to the south of the village of Vaison-la-Romaine. They are the foothills of the highest peak in Provence, Mont Ventoux, which is situated just to the east. Lookout for the dramatically jagged shape of their peaks.
Next is the return of the Col de la Chaine at 2.8km long and bridging 170 vertical meters with an average gradient of 6.1%. It´ll lead you to the town of Malaucène. Take a moment to re-fuel as you prepare for the 21 km-long ascents ahead. With an average gradient of 7.5%, this climb is all about pacing yourself; at around the halfway point, the road kicks up to 11% for three kilometres. This straight section of road may challenge you, but all will be worth it as the road flattens out to four percent for the following few kilometres. In true Mont Ventoux style, the final kilometres ramp up again, rising above eight percent to test you on this famous climb that has pushed many Tour de France legends to their limit.
The triptych around Ventoux ends with a time trial on the slopes of the Géant de Provence, starting from Bedoin. The first five kilometres, a little easier than the rest of the climb, will make for a perfect warm-up. After a first hairpin in Saint-Estève, the slope suddenly inclines to 10% over the next 5 kilometres of ascent. As you approach Chalet Reynard, the slope eases a little to allow you to catch your breath before tackling the legendary last 6 kilometres separating you from the observatory. Be ready to live the most beautiful emotions of your life at more than 1912 meters of altitude when you cross the finish line, and you will be awarded the medal of the finisher of the Haute Route Ventoux.
Accommodation
La Fuga has a long-standing relationship with this lovely, family-run maison d’hotes. Jardin de Mazan is located in the heart of the town of Mazan at the foot of Mont Ventoux and will be our base for the weekend.
You will find this beautiful property – with parts of it dating back to the 14th century – nestled near the centre of the village of Mazan. The property has been restored to show off many of its original features and retain its Provencal charm and character. Meals will be taken in the courtyard overlooking the gardens and lovingly prepared by the owners for a perfect way to refuel your next day of riding.
This quaint hotel provides the perfect spot to recover after a day of racing in the saddle, maybe with a dip in the gently heated pool to relax your weary muscles. We hope you will find it the perfect complement to your stay in Mazan as you battle up the Notorious Mountain!