Mont Ventoux was included in the program of the Tour de France for the very first time during the 17th stage in 1951.
It was a 221 km long stage between Montpeiller and Avignon, and was won by Louison Bobet.
In the early 1950s, Mont Ventoux was climbed during mid-race. Only in 1958 finished a stage on the top of the famous “Bald Mountain”. It was an individual time trial won by Charly Gaul.
(Lead picture: Louison Bobet, 1953)