Mont Ventoux set for return to Tour de France in 2016 on Bastille Day
The mayor of Bedoin confirms he will attend the Tour de France route presentation - a strong hint that Mont Ventoux will host the 2016 race
Mont Ventoux featured heavily in the 2015 Tour de France, what with the videos circulating claiming to show Chris Froome's power data while climbing the mountain in the 2013 edition.
Froome's winning ride on the mountain was the last time it has featured in the Tour route, but reports suggest that the race will head back to the mountain in Provence in 2016.
One of the Tour's most iconic mountains could feature on one of the most iconic days of the race - Bastille Day, the French national day.
Although few details of the 2016 race route have been confirmed, the mayor of Bedoin, where the 21.8km ascent of the mountain starts, dropped a large hint.
"Nothing is official yet, but it seems that the rise will be by Bedoin since I just received my invitation to attend the official presentation in Paris," he told La Provence. Only towns who are hosting a stage start or finish are invited to the presentation.
Ventoux is set to host the Tour for a 15th time, with nine of those occasions seeing the stage finish at the top of the bald mountain.
The only two stages currently confirmed for the 2016 Tour are for the Grand Départ in Normandy, with stage one starting on Mont-Saint-Michel.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
I can’t even remember the price of my latest bike — the trauma is too deep
Dream bikes are best left locked up in fantasy land, argues CW's columnist
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Extra security meant Bern's hosting of Tour de France cost £500,000 more than expected
Tour de France cost Swiss capital of Bern more that it thought it would
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali slams critics of his Tour de France performance
Vincenzo Nibali says he's 'not a robot' and can't be expected to compete with those specifically targeting the Tour overall
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Tony Martin reveals why he had to abandon Tour de France on Champs Élysées
Tony Martin made it all the way to final circuits in Paris on stage 21 before being forced to pull out of Tour de France
By Richard Windsor Published
-
This is what it took to fuel Chris Froome and Team Sky through the Tour de France
Team Sky and Chris Froome ate a combined total of 1,000 energy gels and more than 500 bars during their 2016 Tour de France success.
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Chris Froome wins 2016 Tour de France as André Greipel takes final stage
Chris Froome takes his third Tour de France victory in Paris on Sunday as André Greipel takes the final sprint showdown on the Champs Élysées
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
The moments that won Chris Froome the 2016 Tour de France
We look back at the key points from the 2016 Tour de France that won it for Chris Froome
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
-
Rival teams praise 'super' Sky at the Tour de France
Chris Froome did not win the Tour de France on his own, but was backed by eight Sky team-mates to make an unbeatable combination that is the envy of rivals
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Chris Froome and Peter Sagan's special bikes for Tour de France final stage
A yellow Pinarello and a green Specialized for Chris Froome and Peter Sagan to mark their classification wins in the 2016 Tour de France
By Nigel Wynn Published