13 July 1972 Bernard Thévenet’s victory on Mont Ventoux

Bernard Thévenet and Eddy Merckx on Mont Ventoux at Tour de France 1972

1972 was the second year when Bernard Thevenet rode Tour de France.  His debut in previous year was a little bit of a surprise performance, when he finished fourth in the general classification. Unfortunatelyi a crash in the 7th stage  prevented him to repeat or even surpass his result from previous year. He lost more … Read more

6 July 1965 Raymond Poulidor’s victory on Mont Ventoux

Raymond Poulidor Tour de France 1965 Mont Ventoux

This was the 14th stage of that year’s Tour de France. A 173 km long route from Montpelier to the top of the Mont Ventoux. With his victory, Poulidor jumped up to the second place, but Felice Gimondi, who gained the yellow on the 9th stage (Aubisque, Tourmalet), remained in the leading position till the … Read more

Vintage cycling image of the day: Louison Bobet on Mont Ventoux

Frech multipe Tour de France winner Louison Bobet is riding solo on the mighty ascent Mont Ventoux at the Tour de Frwnce 1955. His wife Christiane is running alongside the road showing support for his husband.

Mont Ventoux was introduced to Tour de France in 1951 (one year earlier than Alpe d’Huez and Puy de Dôme). At the first 3 occasions (1951, 1954 and 1955) the peloton crossed the top during  mid-race, the first summit finish was organized only in 1958. The 11th stage of Tour de France 1955 started in … Read more

Vintage cycling image of the day: Charly Gaul on Mont Ventoux

Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux during the individual time trial at the Tour de France 1958

Charly Gaul won the 21 km moutain time trial up to the top of Mont Ventoux at the Tour de France 1958. Although nowadays Mont Ventoux is usually known by its legendary mountain top finishes, on its first three appearances (1951, 1952, 1955) at the Tour de France the peloton crossed the summit only during … Read more

Eddy Merckx on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1970)

Tour de France 1970 Stage 14 Eddy Merckx wims the stage on the top of the Mont Ventoux

Defending champion, Eddy Merckx won the 14th stage of Tour de France  up to the Mont Ventoux on the 10th July 1970. This was Merckx’s 6th stage victory from  the total of 8 stage wins at the Tour de France 1970. He took the yellow jersey on the 6th stage and never let it out … Read more

Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1958)

Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux during the individual time trial at the Tour de France 1958

Charly Gaul won the 21 km moutain time trial up to the top of Mont Ventoux at the Tour de France 1958 Although nowadays Mont Ventoux is usually known by its legendary mountain top finishes, on its first three appearances (1951, 1952, 1955) at the Tour de France the peloton crossed the summit only during … Read more