Haute Route Ventoux

Fresh legs, a great atmosphere and a relatively flat first half means it should be a fast and fun start out of Bédoin in Stage One of Haute Route Ventoux. Whatever your pace, we recommend you work together with a group of riders to tick off some of the earlier miles and taking the time to enjoy the beauty of the Provence countryside and its quiet rolling roads.

Settle in and enjoy the ascent over the Col de Pie Blanc. At 749m, this shouldn’t cause the peloton much trouble, and instead serve as a leg opener ahead of the first ascent up the famous Mont Ventoux later in the stage.

Shortly after this climb, those opting for the Compact course will take a left turn towards Sault, whilst the Original course riders will continue past Saint Saturnin-lès-Apt before getting ready to tick off their second climb of the day. With an average gradient of seven percent, settle into a rhythm up Col de Lagarde and treat it as the real warm-up before Mont Ventoux.

Easing you in ‘gently’, the first ascent up Mont Ventoux is via the ‘easier’ Sault side. Whilst it may be the easiest in terms of gradient, with the first 16km averaging around four percent, it is the longest side to climb so make sure you pace your effort to the top. After Chalet Reynard, the Compact course riders can proudly tick off Stage One whilst the Original course riders continue to wind around the side of the mountain as the road kicks up, including a final kilometre at an average of 9.5%.

The weather at the summit of Mont Ventoux is notoriously unpredictable, with a top wind speed of 200mph recorded. If the ‘bald mountain’ spoils you with a good day then make sure you take time at the top to enjoy the view before descending back down into Bédoin to recover ahead of a long stage for day two.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Riders once again leave Bédoin and head towards Villes-sur-Auzon where they will hug the mountain as they make their way up the breathtaking Gorges de la Nesque. A favourite for many of our Haute Route alumni, this beautiful balcony road offers breathtaking views of the wild canyon below and the impressive rock formations that surround you. At points you will spot Mont Ventoux lying in wait in the distance, offering a stark contrast in both scenery and magnitude, with the Gorges de la Nesque road treating your legs to an easy average gradient of 2.3% for 18.4km to start the day.

At the 50km mark, the Compact Riders will make a left turn and head for their first and only col of the day, Col des Aires. From Reilhanette, enjoy this 3.8-kilometre climb and at just under four percent average, this is a good chance to test your legs and push the pedals over this climb before a fun descent towards the finish line at Le Groseau.

Meanwhile, the Original Course riders have the Col d’Aulan (845m) and Col de Fontaube (655m) to tackle and whilst they may look easy on paper, two climbs coupled with the rolling country roads and a longer stage on day two could begin to take its toll. Make sure you pace it well and leave enough in the tank ahead of your second summit finish up the ‘Giant of Provence’.

As you turn out of the town of Malaucène, take time to re-fuel as you prepare for the 21km-long ascent ahead. With an average gradient of 7.5%, don’t be fooled into going too hard too early as at around the halfway point, the road kicks up to 11% for three kilometres. There is nowhere to hide on this straight section of road but grind through and look forward to upcoming relief, with the road flattening out to four percent for the following few kilometres. In true Mont Ventoux style, the final kilometres ramp up again, sticking above eight percent to test you on this famous climb that has pushed many Tour de France legends to their limit.

Dinner will be served at your accommodation tonight.

Unchanged from previous years, the third and final stage of the Haute Route Ventoux will be an uphill time trial from Bédoin to the summit of Mont Ventoux. Heading down the start ramp one-by-one, you will complete the Haute Route Ventoux with an individual effort against one of the most famous climbs in all of cycling.

The ascent can be split into three distinct sections. Firstly, a 6-km rolling start towards the hairpin bend in Saint-Estève, secondly a winding and steep road through the forest to Chalet Reynard with 9 kilometres at 9-10%, and finally the last 6km above the tree line through the emblematic barren landscape of Mont Ventoux. Reaching the summit at 1909m above sea-level, you will have conquered all three sides of the mountain throughout the weekend and will become proud Finisher of the Haute Route Ventoux.

Group celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.

Goodbyes will be exchanged over breakfast and one last French coffee shared before we transfer you to the airport or train station. Your legs will be tired and sore, but your cycling soul will be fulfilled and already yearning for the next challenge!