It’s been said that the Tour de France is won or lost on Mont Ventoux. The mountain features prominently in the race and is considered a challenge and goal for amateur cyclists. Are you looking for a reason to take on the climb? Well, book a flight and sign up for Lapierre GF Mont Ventoux next year.
History of the Lapierre GF Mont Ventoux
Lapierre GF Mont Ventoux is held every summer in June, a month before the Tour de France. It was first held in 1951, the same year the mountain was first used in the race.
The race features three routes of various distances: 135 kilometers, 108 kilometers, and 80 kilometers. This event gets talked about on the event website as a race, but it is really more of a “sportive,” which is the European version of a Gran Fondo that has race elements.
The actual climb is 20 kilometers (12 miles) in length with average gradients of 7%. Some sections can kick up to 12%. Cyclists ride the mountain for many reasons.
- A pilgrimage of sorts for amateur cyclists.
- To see the chapel that was built in the 15th century.
- To see the meteorological station that was built there in 1882 but is no longer in use
- To pay tribute to Tom Simpson, a British cyclist who died on the mountain during the 1967 Tour de France.
About Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux is 12 miles northeast of Carpentras, Vaucluse, which is in the Provence region of southern France. It’s considered the highest mountain in the region at an elevation of 6, 270 feet.
Because of its use in the Tour De France, and primarily because it is a long, hard climb, Mont Ventoux has been given the nicknames of either the “Beast of Provence” or the “Giant of Provence.”
In addition to its usage as a place for a chapel, a meteorological station, and as a featured route in the Tour de France, a 50 meter telecommunications mast was built there in the 1960s.
Registration and Costs for Lapierre GF Mont Ventoux
The event has three registration tiers. The price for the main Gran Fondo is 114 euros ($123.00) for the first 3000 riders to register. 108 euros for the medium ride (medio) for the first 1,000 riders, and 88 euros for the lowest mileage (piccol0) for the first 500 riders. Both of these tiers are already sold out.
Riders must present a signed medical certificate from their doctors to participate in the race/ sportive. This is mandatory. And just as a note of warning, don’t try to sidestep this certificate. If it’s discovered the document has been falsified in any way, a 45,000 euro fine could occur.
Additionally, the event website also recommends investing in personal injury insurance. This isn’t mandatory but suggested.
The event includes several amenities. Here is that long list taken from the FAQ section of the event website.
- Top-of-the-range cycling jersey. Wearing it is mandatory. Make sure you choose the right size by studying the section “Choosing your jersey size in the frequently asked questions”. Not included for randonnée and gravel packages.
- Numbered plate, to be positioned on the handlebars at the front of the bike (links supplied) : DO NOT FOLD, it contains the timing chip.
- Timing chip, with general and category rankings and the Mont Ventoux ascent on the Bédoin and Sault sides.
- Bib (Pins supplied).
- “Top tube” stickers, with the race profile, refreshment points, toilets… to stick on the top tube of your bike, to manage your efforts.
- Refreshment points
- Elite bottle of the current edition
- Energy products 6D Sports Nutrition
- Muc off sample
- Finisher’s medal
- Entrance to the Expo Village
- Osteopathy session on arrival (at the Village Expo on your return)
- Mechanical assistance stand at the start on Saturday and Sunday.
Last Thoughts
If you’ve always wanted to ride Mont Ventoux, this event seems like a perfect excuse to take it on and add some bragging rights to your cycling canon. The price for the event isn’t terrible, it seems events of this caliber are more expensive in the United States.
Just make sure you register as soon as possible and that you have all your forms signed. Your biggest cost would be the flight and hotel. But after the ride, you can explore more of France and/ or Europe. Sounds like a win to me.
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