THE MOUNTAIN OF ALL CHALLENGES

In 1902, the very best car and motorcycle drivers in the world started to attempt to beat records there: the Mont Ventoux hill climb was created. In 1973, at an average speed of over 140 km/hour, Robert Mieusset travelled from Bédoin to the summit in 9 minutes and 3 seconds! Cyclists also got to grips with the giant of Provence with the first victory for Jacques Gabriel who completed the climb in 2:29 hours in 1908. The peloton of the Tour de France started to use the road in 1951, with this challenging climb very quickly becoming a key stage of the event. It has become less known for the victories and feats achieved there than the unforeseen events, failures and dramas that have taken place in this monumental setting.