This year’s third edition of the modern race climbs the legendary Provençal mountain following a decisive sequence of stages that reshaped the general classification.
According to race records and reports from the route, the peloton arrives at the foot of the Giant of Provence following a high-intensity mountain stage won by Demi Vollering. The Dutch rider launched a sustained series of attacks that shattered the GC standings. That same day brought a bittersweet result for Spanish rider Paula Blasi, before a flat and transitional stage settled into a breakaway victory for Mauritius rider Kim le Court, who won an eight-rider sprint on Thursday without altering the upper tier of the overall standings.
The Legend of Mont Ventoux Meets Modern Pro Cycling
Local sporting folklore connects the mountain’s cycling history back to 1951, when French rider Lucien Lazaridès crested the summit in first position during the men’s Tour de France. According to a legend, Lazaridès spent a warm August evening afterward on a terrace along the Côte d’Azur with artist Pablo Picasso, recounting the adventure of conquering the wind-scoured limestone peak.
For the women’s peloton, reaching the summit marks a historic milestone.
General Classification Shaken by Vollering’s Attacks
The ascent of Mont Ventoux comes immediately after a punishing test in the mountains where Demi Vollering blew the race wide open. Race reports confirm that the Dutch star’s aggressive tactical display on Wednesday created massive time gaps among the overall contenders, effectively shredding the leading group and eliminating several pre-race favorites from contention.
Kim le Court Claims Breakaway Sprint Victory
An eight-rider breakaway managed to outsmart the main bunch, contesting the stage win on the line.
What Lies Ahead on the Ventoux Slopes
Worth a look
