In a stunning display of athleticism, Tadej Pogačar shattered the previous record for climbing Mont Ventoux during stage 16 of the Tour de France yesterday. Known as the ‘Giant of Provence’, Mont Ventoux is a daunting mountain that rises dramatically from the flat terrain surrounding it, making it visible from over 100 kilometers away. This iconic climb spans a total length of 20.74 kilometers and features an average gradient of 8.31 percent, with sections reaching steep ramps of 11 percent.
According to his Strava upload, Pogačar ascended the mountain in an impressive time of 53 minutes and 47 seconds, achieving an average speed of 23.1 kph and securing the coveted King of the Mountain (KOM) title in the process. This latest achievement not only marks a personal victory for the Slovenian cyclist but also highlights his exceptional performance on one of cycling's most challenging climbs.
Pogačar had previously set the Strava record for Mont Ventoux during the 2021 Tour de France, but yesterday’s stage saw him improve upon that time by over five minutes. While beating his own record by such a significant margin is extraordinary, it is essential to consider the context of each climb. In 2021, the peloton tackled Mont Ventoux twice within a grueling 198-kilometer stage that included more than 4,500 meters of climbing. However, yesterday's stage featured a relatively flat course leading into the ascent, which likely contributed to the explosive pace he was able to maintain up the mountain.
Interestingly, yesterday's stage marked the first time the Tour de France has concluded on Mont Ventoux since 2013, creating a perfect opportunity for Pogačar to seize another stage win. In a surprising twist, however, Pogačar and his team, UAE Team Emirates – XRG, appeared to allow a breakaway group to gain an advantage. As the breakaway hit the initial slopes of Mont Ventoux, they enjoyed a lead of over six minutes on the peloton, which began to narrow as the team from Visma–Lease a Bike took control of the pace.
In the final kilometers of the stage, cycling enthusiasts anticipated a thrilling showdown between Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, both of whom are known for their fierce competition in the mountains. However, the breakaway ultimately held their ground. EF Education–EasyPost’s Ben Healy initiated the sprint around the last bend but was narrowly edged out by Valentin Paret-Peintre from Soudal QuickStep, who claimed victory.
It’s worth noting that Pogačar was not the only cyclist to make a strong impression on Mont Ventoux. British rider Oscar Onley clocked in at 55 minutes and 32 seconds, averaging 22.4 kph. This performance keeps the 22-year-old in fourth place in the general classification (GC) and second in the young rider competition. However, Onley’s gap to competition leader Florian Lipowitz increased significantly from 1 minute and 25 seconds to 2 minutes and 1 second following yesterday’s stage.
For this stage, Pogačar utilized a specialized version of his Colnago Y1Rs aero bike, featuring a lightweight raw carbon finish. While his Colnago V5Rs might appear to be a more suitable choice for such a challenging mountain, UAE Team Emirates XRG explained that the aero bike, despite its lack of paint, is only marginally heavier than the climbing bike. According to Colnago, aerodynamics play a crucial role in performance: “Wind-tunnel testing reveals that the Y1Rs utilizes new 8:1 tube-depth rules, saving approximately 20–25 watts at 50 km/h, which exceeds the weight difference of approximately 150–200 grams between the Y1Rs and the V5Rs.”
“Pre-stage modeling indicates that aero bikes can retain critical seconds even on gradients of up to 10 percent,” Colnago added, underscoring the importance of technological advancements in professional cycling.
Pogačar’s record time of just under 54 minutes for the climb of Mont Ventoux serves as a striking reminder of the elite-level performance of professional cyclists. In contrast, amateur cyclists typically take an average of 2 hours and 3 minutes to complete the same climb, illustrating that Pogačar’s speed is over double that of the average rider. This remarkable achievement not only solidifies Pogačar’s status as one of cycling’s best but also serves as inspiration for cyclists at all levels.
