The elevation gain from this direction is 1,617m over the course of 22.8km. That gives
an average gradient of 7.6% and there's a maximum of 10.7%. But as we all know the statistics
never tell the full story, so let's go and see what this giant of Provence really has to offer.
2013 will be the ninth time that the Mont Ventoux has featured as a summit finish but
on a further six occasions the race passed over it, and the first of those was back in 1951.
There's a couple of different scenarios in terms of the way that this stage might pan
out on the day. If that early breakaway has got enough time, it will be those guys fighting
it out for the stage victory. However, if they've only got a few minutes, it's probably going
to be a big hill climb race between the GC contenders. Either way, these lower slopes
aren't particularly steep, so we won't see much attacking here. There's also a long way
to go to the top.
This climb does give you a little bit of a chance to get you into your rhythm. The first
3km of it are little more than a false flat, just 2% average gradient. The following 4km
ramp up to 4%, and after that 7km mark the fun really begins. It ramps up to 10% and
stays like that for a further 9km through these trees.
The climb starts with a relatively long drag through the valley which feels longer than it looks
on the profile. After passing through Les Bruns, we reach the forest area and some steep
corners. On your right is a barrier that distinguishes this climb and guides you upwards.
The last time the Mont Ventoux was used in the Tour de France was in 2009 when Juan
Manuel Gárate won the stage and Alberto Contador sealed his grip on that yellow jersey. There
have been some really famous winners up here, including Charly Gaul, Raymond Poulidor, Bernard
Thévenet, Eddie Merckx and Marco Pantani. And also the unlikely figure of Eros Poli
- 86kg and 1m94cm - crested first on his stage victory back in 1994.
Just after the 7km to go sign, the road and the gradient does slacken off slightly as
we head towards the Chalet Renard, one of the key landmarks on your climb to the top
of the Ventoux. The pros will probably have all the fuel they need on board by this point
as they start the most important part of their day - the final surge to the finish line.
But for us amateurs, it's a great opportunity to take on some last fluids and maybe a last gel.
At the 6km mark, if you've done your research or watched the pros, this is when the landscape
will start to look familiar, with the iconic Ventoux yellow and black markers lining the
left-hand side of the road, with the barren stone landscape rather than forested scenes.
Well not long after the 6km to go sign, as you can see, the side of the road starts to
look very barren indeed. It's not too bad for me today because the temperatures aren't
too high, but you can imagine on some of the really hot days in July and August, this can
be really excruciating.
Weather conditions do play a crucial role when you're coming up to the top of the Ventoux,
even for professional riders, and particularly on the last section which is so exposed to
the wind. The highest recorded wind speed at the top is 320km per hour, but on 240 days
of the year there are gusts of over 90. If you happen to be riding up here on one of
those 240 days, it's pretty wise not to use these deep-section wheels like I've got on.
If it's possible, ride up with somebody else and even better, ride up with a group that's
willing to stick together all the way to the top. Also bear in mind that the right clothing
is essential, not just for on the way up, but of course many of you will have to ride
down as well, and that will be a lot colder.
Tom Simpson tragically died on this climb while riding the 1967 Tour de France. He was
severely dehydrated, which had been brought on by a number of different factors. He was
the first Brit ever to wear the yellow jersey, be world champion, or win a classic, and when
you see his monument on the right-hand side of the road you'll know there is less than
1km to the top.
The fastest time up this side of the mountain is an astonishing 55 minutes and 51 seconds,
and that was set by Spain's Iban Mayo back in 2004 at a time trial stage during the Critérium
du Dauphiné. For a well-trained amateur it will probably take something in the region
of 1hr30mins to get up to the summit. But me, as a rapidly detraining ex-professional,
I've taken just over 2 hours.
In the last few hundred metres, you'll see some signs to Les Vendran, a restaurant, on
your left-hand side. You take a sharp right-hand hairpin and the road cranks up for one final
burst to the summit, and then you've made it.
Well I'm going to make no bones about it, that is a tough climb. But for amateurs and
professionals alike, The sense of accomplishment you get as you do reach the top makes it one of the
most memorable days you can have on a bike.