Valentin Paret-Peintre's victory on Mont Ventoux during Stage 17 was a significant moment for French cycling, breaking a stage win drought. The victory held particular importance as it came during the 2025 Tour de France when the French had not claimed a win for almost three weeks. The anxiety surrounding a potentially winless Tour, especially on the 40th anniversary of the last French yellow jersey, heightened the significance of the win. Mont Ventoux, known as 'The Giant of Provence,' is a uniquely challenging mountain that adds to the victory’s prestige.
"Mont Ventoux is unlike any other mountain in the Tour de France. 'The Giant of Provence' is only part of the Alps in the nominal sense, as it stands totally alone, rising up out of the gently lavendered slopes of the Rhône Valley and towering over the region."
"Winning on Mont Ventoux is as good as it gets. From its summit you can see more than 100 kilometers in every direction, from the true Alps to the north to the foothills of the Cévennes in the west."
Collection
[
|
...
]