It is a monument of cycling, a myth, a legend … this Tuesday, the peloton of Tour de France Faces the terrible Mont Ventoux on the occasion of the 16th stage. 158 kilometers long between Montpellier and the summit of “Géant de Provence”, this day promises to be both short and brutal. After a hundred kilometers of plain and a false-plat rising by Caromb and Bédoin, the runners will have to climb the 15.7 km at 8.8 % on the southern slope of the Ventoux. A stifling final, through the forest and then the hot stones of the last kilometers, where the heat and the wind could play a decisive role. A mythical rise, witness of exploits (Merckx, Pantani, Froome …) like dramas (Tom Simpson in 1967), which promises a great explanation between the general's Cadors.
Video – Richard Virenque tells us about Mont Ventoux
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A 5th victory for Tadej Pogacar
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) arrives in known ground … and in charge of memories. Large general leader, the Slovenian aims at a fifth step success of this Tour And finally intends to tame the Mont Ventoux, the scene of its rare flaws in 2021. With more than four minutes in advance, it can manage without risk, protected by a solid collective.
But his rivals have not said their last word, especially Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | lease a bike), which will have to surprise. The battle for the podium between Florian Lipowitz, Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Oscar Onley (Picnic postnl), Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B & B Hotels) and Felix Gall (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale) will also be raging. A breakaway is also likely, with why not the French Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) ou Valentin Paretrere (Sudal Quick-Step) which could take advantage of the terrible slopes of the Ventoux.
The journey of the 16th stage
– Tuesday July 22: STEP 16 : Montpellier – Mont Ventoux / 171.5 km
