Merckx turned professional in 1965 with the Solo-Superia team after a successful amateur carrier winning more than 80 victories along with the 1964 World Championships Road race. From there, Merckx would go on to win virtually every major race and Grand Tour event that lay before him.





During his career from 1965 to 1978, Merckx proved to be unbeatable, with no fewer than 11 grand tour overall victories. And, upon his retirement, he had racked up a total of 525 wins – netting 445 wins out of the 1585 races he competed in.

In 1971 Merckx won 45 percent of the races he started. Come up against Merckx during that season and your chances of victory as a rival rider were as good as halved before you’d even begun.





On 25 October 1972, “the Cannibal” set a new hour record at 49.431km in Mexico City wearing a refined aero body-suit made by Amando and his son Maurizio Castelli (branded Vittore Gianni), and a specially constructed Colnago road bike with the same measurements as Merckx’s track bike.

Images: Foto Reporter Sirotti, Castelli image library

From Malaga we take the motorway one hour east before we turn north into a valley where the sun shines on the yellow coloured rock massif as we drive into the small community Vélez de Benaudalla. The main street runs in north-south direction with the church in the center and with white stone houses close up on both sides of the road. The fortress at the height reminds visitors of the city’s Arabic roots. Here we find some small grocery stores, a bakery, a couple of cafes and restaurants.

White legs

Together with a group of cyclists from Stockholm Cycle club, who also have arrived with an early flight, we take a short ride in the afternoon. Cormac Keeny guides us on a short trip to a village on the other side of the valley, with a hill long enough for the pulse to go up. A premonition of what to expect during the week. With white legs that have not seen the sun since the previous season, we ride up the hill in the afternoon sun. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to cycle in short bibs again, after a long winter with studded tires, thick clothes and frozen fingers.

Aunt’s farmhouse

Cormac came to Sierra Nevada for the first time in the winter of 2010. It was a nice escape from the dark and cold season in Olso, where he was living. His aunt owned an old farmhouse where he could stay during his training weeks. Cormac became very fond of the landscape, the climate and the opportunities for good cycling in the area. After the first winter, he began to invite friends from Norway and Ireland. The rumor of the amazing cycling spread and the number of visitors grew. In 2013, Cormac started Cycle Sierra Nevada and now groups are coming from many different nations. Many of the guests are returning every season. But when it gets too hot during the summer months, Cormac happily returns to Oslo.

Strong cyclists from Stockholm Cycling Club

The next morning we gather outside the new premises that Cormac and his team are preparing. Two guys from New York and a Dutchman have also joined the group. While we are sipping our morning coffee, the guides go through today’s route. There will be two groups. I decide to go with the group that will do the longer ride. The guides lead us north on the quiet street this early Sunday morning. After a short descent, the climb begins. We cycle past the dry pond that flows out of Rio Guadalfeo. The pace is so high that I really have to fight to keep up with the group. The cyclists from Stockholm Cycle club prove to be really strong, lead by the Swedish champion in H30 (men over 30), Leo Kaftanski. I curse myself for having chosen the wrong group when my heart rate reached the red zone already in the first climb.

Snow-covered peaks and nice roads

Our group is guided by Szymon Kowtowski and Christian Ekdahl. Szymon is a former racing cyclist from Poland who has been here since 2015 and knows the area well, while the Swede Christian has a fondness for randonneuring and got to know Cormac in Oslo. The roads are in the best condition, often it looks like the asphalt is completely new. The traffic is moderate with very few cars. In the distance we see the snow-covered peaks where the ski season is still going on. The road, cut out of the rock with a wall of limestone on our right side, continues uphill without becoming really steep. The vegetation is diminishing and it becomes increasingly barren the higher we get. Fortunately, the group has now been divided into smaller groups for customized tempo. It was probably not just me who had to struggle hard.

Haza del Lino

Eventually, we reach our goal. Outside the restaurant in Haza del Lino with the same name, the motorcycles that overtook us during the climb has parked. Haza del Lino, which seems to be a popular Sunday excursion, is not much more than the restaurant and a bus stop in a three-way junction from where we can get a glimpse of the sea in the south. At the outdoor terrace where the sun warms, we are having bocadillo, cola and cortado. We will return here twice during the week, but from other directions. After the stop we continue on winding roads down towards the Mediterranean fishing town Castell de Ferro, where a fresh breeze makes small waves that rolls into the beach. The strong guys from Stockholm decide to race and push it hard for a while along the coast. The rest of us try to keep up but are soon losing contact with the group. All but the Dutchman Stephan van Hien who has proved to be very strong and used to the Dutch crosswind. Check out that guy at Strava. Last year he rode 44.000 km!

Trevélez

The following day we ride to Trevélez via the vineyards of Cádiar. It is a long climb that goes in stages. The pace is slower than yesterday and we cycle in one group. With almost 1500 meters above sea level, Trevélez is one of the highest resorts in Spain, not counting the ski stations. It’s the highest altitude we reach this week. After the summer months it is possible to get all the way up to Pico De Veleta which is Europe’s highest paved road. Cormac and his team drive the groups up to Granada by car where you start the long climb up to 3400 meters above sea level.

We are not the only group visiting this village, which is considered to have been inhabited already in the Iron Age. At the square where we fill up water that runs down from the mountain, buses with tourists have also stopped. Trevélez is known for its air-dried ham. The dry and cool climate is considered ideal conditions. In the restaurant where we eat lunch, the hams hang tight in the roof. As usual, dogs with languishing eyes sit around our table in hope for a taste. From Trevélez, a long, winding and absolutely fantastic road await down to the hippie town of Órgiva, which is surrounded by olive groves and where already ripe fruits from orange and lemon trees are hanging.

Peter Sagan

During winter and early spring, Sierra Nevada is a popular location for professional cyclists. Peter Sagan and the Bora Team are some of those who come back here for early training, to get in shape for the spring classics. He and many others stay up in the mountains to get the benefits of the high altitude and where they have access to the modern Centro de Alto Rendimiento training center. However, Peter spends much of his training time down by the coast and is transported up and down, while others prefer to ride in the mountains.

Rest day

Wednesday is a day without guided tours. Most people still choose to take an easier ride. Some role down to Motril for lunch and homemade ice cream in the sun. I take a short ride up to Guájar-Alto with Ian from London, which I share the apartment with, and Marcus from New York. Here we enjoy a cup of coffee in the warm weather. While we are recovering from past days of cycling with all the altitude gained, our Dutch friend Stephan has embarked on his own ride. You know, he who logged 44.000 km last year. When he returns, shortly before dark, he has covered 220 km with a lot of climbing. On the rest day!

The Goat’s Path

It is just after half past nine when we roll south from Vélez de Benaudalla. The cold in the shadow makes me shiver, even though I wear arm warmers and vest. But it will soon get warm. When we have crossed the bridge over Rio Guadalfeo we enter the sun and the climb begins. It is not long before I take off my west. We pass orange and lemon groves where the trees extend their arms towards the road so that we can almost pick the fruit on the go.

At Guájar Faragüit, we make a right turn and it immediately becomes steeper. “Free speed up to the top of the hill”, Szymon shouts. Some take him at his word, stand up from their saddles and give it all. The road winds its way up the mountain where pines partly give us shade. The group quickly splits and we all fight hard on the 8 kilometers long climb. When we finally reach the top, we are out of breath and rest for a while before we continue together.

After a stop for lunch where I once again order bocadillo, cola and cortado, we turn onto road A-4050 and enter a barren, reddish-brown landscape of stone, almost without vegetation. The only traffic is some trucks heading for a gravel pit. Eventually, the landscape changes and we pass through a pine forest before we reach the highest point. We fill our bottles from a running water source and then continue on the road which now winds its way down the mountain in the direction of the coast. Soon we see the sea far below. Once upon a time, they transported fish this way from Almuñuecar down the coast all the way up to Granada where it was sold on the market. A trip that took almost two days on donkeys. It is really an intense experience to follow the narrow and curvy road down towards Almuñuecar by the Mediterranean coast. We only meet a few cars during our way down. But no donkeys and no goats.

Haza del Lino revisited

In the mountains you can count the number of cars on your fingers, while roads along the coast have a bit more traffic. We see a few other groups of cyclists, but compared to Mallorca we are almost alone. As I mentioned earlier, we returned two more times to Haza del Lino. One day, after having cycled east along the coast, we climbed up from Albuñol through vineyards and almond trees. The sun shined on us during the climb and the heat almost hammered me. Christian saved me on the last part when he handed over a cold Coke that he had picked up from the restaurant.

And on the last day with guides, we cycled north through Órgiva where they were preparing the street market with stands filled with clothes, shoes, fruit and vegetables. After stopping for lunch in Torvizcón we climbed the 16 km up to Haza del Lino. The initial part was steep, but then the road wound its way on the ridge through pine trees up to the restaurant at the crossroad. Needless to say, we stopped for coffee before descending down to the coast were we cycled westwards. A light breeze made small waves that hit the almost empty beach where a lone fisherman sat in his chair with a fishing rod looking out over the water. In a few months, it will be filled with tourists. We continued cycling through the old fishing community Castell de Ferro with its Arabic castle on the hill, and before reaching Vélez we made a last stop in Motril for lovely homemade ice cream.

One last cortado

Our rides often end with a cold beer or a Coke at a bar in Vélez. On our way back to the apartments, we stop at a super mercado to buy bread, fruit, fresh strawberries, and everything else we need for breakfast. After a long-awaited shower I take a nap before dinner that we all eat together at one of the restaurants. While having a much needed three-course dinner, often ended with cheesecake, we talk about today’s ride and share bike memories from the past. Together with some people from Stockholm who also have a late flight, we take a short morning ride on our last day. It has been an intense week with a lot of miles covered. A perfect start of the season. I finish by cycling up to Guájar-Alto for lunch and one last cortado, where the dogs are dozing in the shadow outside the local bar Carmen.

Facts

Cycling Sierra Nevada

Cycling The Sierra Nevada organizes guided cycling in the Sierra Nevada since 2013 with Vélez de Benaudalla as home base. Guided tours are organized from January to the end of May and from September to early November. They also rent out bikes. All information is available at www.sierranevada.cc.

Getting there

If you are flying, Malaga airport is just over an hour away. Cycling Sierra Nevada will pick you up at the airport.

Food and accommodation

You stay in apartments with kitchen where you make your own breakfast. During rides they stop for an easy lunch. Three-course dinner is served at one of the restaurants Vélez.

What to bring

Bring your own bike or rent one from Cycling Sierra Nevada. It is good to have both a rain jacket and sunscreen. Even though we had sun all week, rain is not uncommon. The mornings are often chilly, so windbreaks, vest and arm warmers are good to pack. In Vélez de Benaudalla there is no store that sells sports drink powder or bars, so it may be good to bring along.

The cycling
The cycling is mainly hilly with several long climbs towards the Sierra Nevada while the coastline is less hilly. The roads are mostly really good and with smooth asphalt. A little more traffic along the coast while there are few cars in the mountains.

Photo Credit: Szymon /Stephan van Hien / Magnus Wiström

Text Author: Magnus Wiström – Fishcube Media

As the name says, they are two brothers, and they work in graphic design and illustration. Luca and Andrea Martini are 27 and 24 years old, respectively, and they founded the 2BROS creative studio in 2016 in Vicenza, Italy. Their illustrations are simple, created with thick lines and geometric shapes, and they seek precision, paying close attention to details. Colors are fundamental in giving character to their art, and it is clear that they are addicted to the ’80s. With Castelli, they have been given an opportunity to advance their ideas, and they have helped Castelli create a visually distinctive product. Click on the button below to watch the video of the first interview that we did with 2BROS and discover how creativity — like speed, we would say! — requires dedication.

QUESTIONS:
1) Q: “Alea iacta est,” or “The die is cast.” Your “creature” has come to life. So we ask you: why the Gargantua jersey? What inspired you to create this jersey?

A: The concept and design of this garment were inspired by black holes, whose gravitational force attracts matter and light toward them. The jersey — imagine it completely white — attracts the graphic structure, composed of geometric shapes, patterns and colors, toward itself. We decided to call it Gargantua, the name given to a black hole in a popular science fiction movie.

2) Q: This jersey is undeniably unique. How long does it take, on average, to develop an original graphic design?

A: To develop the Gargantua, we worked six days — about 48 hours, between conceptual sketching, design development and color selection. In our work, six days for a project can be a lot but also not much: you can’t calculate an average time because there are so many variables and they’re not always predictable.

3) Q: Are you satisfied with the final result? Do you think Castelli was a good “domestique,” allowing you to fully express your creativity in a world — cycling — that you love?

A: We’re very satisfied with the final result because our ideas have been turned into an article of sports clothing without being changed at all. Castelli was a perfect partner, supporting us in this pursuit of the new and able to provide us with everything we needed to bring our vision to life.

For years Alta Badia has been working hard to set the standard for mountain resort areas, making quality in every domain its distinctive brand. To that end, tourism linked to cycling represents a consistently growing market — one that the region is devoting particular attention to, at both the national and international level. In addition to the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel, the Sellaronda Bike Day and the Dolomites Bike Day have become can’t-miss events for thousands of cyclists who are eager to experience the legendary Dolomite passes in peace and safety. The combination of the reputation of Alta Badia and the excellence of the Castelli brand represents a significant opportunity for both parties to develop future projects aimed at creating added value. In fact, the two entities fully share the healthy values of cycling, focusing on the quality and sustainability of their products.

“It’s an honor to be an official partner of the Alta Badia tourist area and the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel. We often ride on these spectacular mountain roads, and the sponsorship reflects our passion for excellence, sustainability and partnerships — fundamental principles for a brand dedicated to performance and perfection in its products. As a leader in our industry, we’re eager to conquer new challenges, and we know we can achieve more together with like-minded partners,” said Alessio Cremonese, CEO of Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A.

Photo Credits: Jered Gruber / Alex Moling / Paola Finali / Freddy Planinschek / Castelli Archive

But lest we get ahead of ourselves, we must go back even further to August of 2009, where a handful of riders from the Cervélo TestTeam met after the Brexia Tour with the sole purpose of trying to figure out a better solution to the rain jackets available.

You’ve probably all seen photos, and if you were a cyclist at the time most likely still cringe at the thought of the ill-fitting, plastic, and completely waterproof jackets worn at the time. The biggest issue was that they were designed to be waterproof, so while they did a fantastic job of keeping water out, they were abysmal when it came to breathability.

Gabriel Rasch, one of the Cervélo riders present at the meeting, pulled out his Castelli Pocket Liner rain jacket, to which he had cut off the sleeves and hand-sewn jersey arms to give it an aerodynamic fit, and an idea was born: breathability and aerodynamics became the solution to a previously unanswered question.

Over the next several months, and with this in mind, Castelli designed a lightweight, short sleeve, windproof and water-resistant garment with stretch and breathability. Debuting in the spring of 2010 at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the Gabba was born (Gabriel’s nickname amongst the peloton).

The long-sleeve Gabba debuted the following spring, and over the next 2 years, the pro peloton would become chock full of Gabbas, most of which were worn by teams not sponsored by Castelli, and most of which had the Castelli logos blackened out with Sharpies.

Which brings us back to the beginning of the story: the 2013 Milan-San Remo. Leading into the race, riders had faced a spring of continuously abysmal weather. By the start in Milan, the Gabba had officially made a name for itself in the pro peloton, as dozens of riders wore ‘blacked out’ Gabbas. The winner of the race, Gerald Ciolek, wore a Gabba until the final kilometers, shedding it in time for the final lead into San Remo.

To pay homage to the original Gabba on its 10-year anniversary, and its stealthy rise to prominence within the pro peloton, we’ve developed a limited edition BLACKOUT Collection, including The Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve, the Gabba RoS, the Raddoppia 2 Jacket, the Trasparente V Jersey, and the Reflex Shoe cover. All are modern-day versions built with the latest fabric technologies, but one thing remains in common with the first ‘undercover’ Gabbas: the color. Although this time, we blacked out the logos for you, so you can leave your sharpies at home.

Find out more about the BLACKOUT collection here.

The Austrian based German will be joining Castelli’s top-class triathlon roster including Mirinda, Carfrae, Laura Philipp, Cameron Wurf, Frederik Van Lierde, Tim O’Donnell and Raelert Brothers.

“I am delighted to start my partnership with Castelli, a brand with a long-term experience in cycling and triathlon, something that can be felt in every piece of clothing, providing comfort, functionality, industry leading performance and unmatched design.”, says Patrick Lange.

Lange will have access to the full Castelli triathlon collection and will be using the all-new PR Speed Suit, that was adapted to his special needs, in most of his races.

Steve Smith, Brand Manager at Castelli, is extremely delighted about the alliance, and says: We’ve already achieved remarkable results with lots of our athletes including numerous world championship titles and prestigious triathlon classics.
Our athletes provide us with valuable feedback, which we use to continuously improve our products. Most of them end up in our triathlon collection and help every triathlete to be faster and more comfortable. The collaboration with the current Kona champion is extremely challenging for us and we believe that we can help him becoming even faster. We are looking forward to a successful cooperation.”

Patrick has already been testing Castelli clothing since the beginning of the year and will be debuting his Castelli race suit at Ironman 70.3 Vietnam this weekend. Beside racing in Castelli’s cutting-edge triathlon apparel, Patrick will also be supplied with customized cycling clothing for training.

After his Asian trip, the German will return to Europe to focus on his next main goals Ironman Germany (Frankfurt) and the Ironman 70.3 world championships in Nice.

For further information please visit www.castelli-cycling.com

Discover the 2019 triathlon collection here

Photo: © Julia Hofmann

Team INEOS x Castelli will continue to push boundaries bringing more innovations to meet the demands of top-level pros as well as performance-focused cyclists. Just as Team INEOS, we leave nothing to chance and share the same drive for results-driven innovation in everything we do.





The jersey retains the iconic line on the back, defining a feature that has been ever-present since the team’s inception, a Burgundy red to black gradient, and the rider names will remain on the side of the jersey.

Sir Dave Brailsford says, “This is a momentous day for the Team, our fans and cycling in general. We are all hugely excited about the future with INEOS at the helm.”





Steve Smith, Brand Manager at Castelli, is excited about the new era with the team, commenting: “Our partnership with the team continues to go from strength-to-strength, the staff and riders provide us with valuable feedback which we use to continuously improve our products. This is vital for Castelli because most of the Team INEOS products end up in our Castelli collection, so we’re happy to incorporate the team’s expertise to make cycling faster and more enjoyable for cyclists everywhere. We’re proud of our partnership and looking forward to more success together.”

⚫
Team INEOS and Castelli fans can now pre-order the new kit, with full availability coming soon,
by visiting: www.castelli-cycling.com

CASTELLI x Team INEOS will continue to innovate and meet the demands of cyclists globally, starting with a new kit which will be unveiled on Wednesday 1st May, ahead of the first stage of the Tour de Yorkshire the following day.

To celebrate our time as a Team Sky Partner, here is our top 10-moments with them (in random order):

Michal Kwiatkowski winning Milano-Sanremo (2017)


Geraint Thomas wins Tour de France prologue, four riders in top 8 wearing our cutting-edge time trial suits (2017)

Chris Froome taking the Red, Green and White jerseys at the Vuelta (2017)

Chris Froome on the Col de Finestre and winning the Giro (2018)

Geraint Thomas winning back to back at La Rosière and Alpe d’Huez (2018)

Michal Kwiatkowski winning Tirreno-Adriatico (2018)

Egan Bernal’s triumph at Tour of California (2018)

Geraint Thomas winning Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour (2018)

Egan Bernal winning Paris-Nice (2019)

Impressive appearance of the young riders at Tour of the Alps 2019: Tao Geoghegan Hart winning two stages | Pavel Sivakov overall victory and one stage win (2019)

Images: Tim de Waele, Gettysport, Russ Ellis, gruberimages.pro, Leon van Bon

The roundabout in Bédoin

While the summer heat still lingers in Provence, a bunch of gentlemen play Pétanque in the park. On the outdoor seating people enjoy the October sun that lights up the stone houses in the small town of Bédoin. The narrow street is lined with maple trees and a woman stops the traffic so that the schoolchildren can cross. A little further up are some bicycle shops and a sign at the roundabout shows that the road on the right leads up to Mont Ventoux, 1909 meters above sea level. In the summer of 1970, during stage 14 of Tour de France, Eddy Merckx swung right in this roundabout and got away from the peloton. After pushing himself to the limit on the steep climb he finished the stage as the superior winner. But he was so exhausted that he collapsed and had to be given oxygen to recover. The Giant of Provence has put many cyclists on hard tests.

Pasta buffet

We are five hundred amateur cyclists who have gathered this weekend for a three days race event on Mont Vetoux, organised for the second year by Haute Route. In the centre of Bédoin there are sponsor tents, bicycle service and a massage studio. On Thursday afternoon we line up in the queue to get our back packs with jersey, bibs and race numbers. Our photos are taken and in the evening there is a meeting where the stages are presented and what we can expect from the weekend. Everything ends with pasta buffet before we, full of anticipation, head back to our hotels for a good night’s sleep. I stay with a bunch of other cyclist a few kilometer up the road to Mont Ventoux, at charming hotel La Garance.

Promises of sunshine

The next morning we roll down from the hotel to the start. The air is a bit chilly, but no wind and a blue sky give us hope of a warm day. I make sure to get a good position in the front and at half past eight the leading car guides us out from Bédoin in southern direction.

As we are leaving Bédoin the peloton take up the complete space of the road. The few cars we are meeting pull over and stop as we are passing by. We carry on south and roll through the narrow streets of Mormoiron, lined with stone houses.

First climb splits the peloton

On the first climb, the difference in strength is revealed. The previously so tight peloton that has taken up the entire width of the road now splits and narrows to a slim line of cyclists.

In pure desperation of wanting to hang on, my power meter shows figures I normally only hold on short intervals. Of course this cannot last and it does not take long before stronger cyclists pull away. Later I will be punished for my eagerness to hold on. We have many hours ahead on this first stage of 113km and 2700 meter to ascend. Soon, groups of equally strong cyclists are formed and I find myself in a group of maybe 15 to 20 cyclists of different nationalities. Several British cyclists, a few from United States, Germany and of course from France. I also see a guy from Belgium. The climb ends in Blauvac from where we have a short descend.

Olive groves and cherry trees

From Malemort de Comtat, lined with olive groves and cherry trees, we can discern Mont Ventoux in the distance. And 5km later, at the picturesque Venasque, the second climb of the day starts, taking us up to 600 meters of altitude on a moderate incline of 4%. After the climb, we pass through Murs, surrounded by vineyards and a castle from the 14th century. The area south-west of Mont Ventoux is rich in vineyards, where they are sheltered from the strong mistral wind. The wines from this area are called Côtes du Ventoux AOP and the full bodied red wine is distinctly characterised by its aromas of black fruit, spice, and pepper. Although red wines dominate production from the 150 wine producers in the area, a small amount of rosé and white wines are also made.

An Englishman takes the lead

An Englishman in red jersey leads our group through the fertile landscape where the sun is now warming us. The road winds through olive groves, vineyards and small villages with medieval stone houses. No one makes any effort to help out in the front, but the Englishman seems pleased to be in the lead. As we approach 70 km, we begin the climb Col de Lagarde that will take us up to eleven hundred meters with an average incline of nearly 7 percent. Now there is less conversation and more heavy breathing in the group. Our red-dressed Englishman continues to lead us up the mountain. Cyclists in front of me stretch their hands to the rear wheels and lighten up the brakes. I do not dare, with the risk of forgetting to tighten them before the next descend. I feel strong so I advance in the field, and soon I’m on wheel after the Englishman. Now I make my second mistake. I pass the guy in the red jersey and leave the group behind and reach the top alone. I stop at the food station to refill my bottles, but without waiting for the group. The road now varies with downhill runs and long straight stretches where I cycle alone. It takes a while before two cyclists pass me in a downhill. I follow their wheels, but are soon struggling to keep their pace. It does not take long before I’m punished for my optimistic start, when I feel the cramp coming in my thighs. I have no other option than to stop and stretch out my legs, before I can continue.

Tourists from China

We pass the medieval town Sault and its lavender field which attracts tourists all the way from China. Here at the foot of Mont Ventoux, the climb to the summit begins. It is considered to be the easiest of the three, but also the longest with its 26 km and an average incline of 4.5 percent. I slow down to avoid further cramps. We reach the coniferous forest and I’m in a group that keeps a decent pace. Together we struggle and sweat in the mid-day heat, and it’s a long way before we reach the lift station and the restaurant Chalet Reynard where the road from Sault branches with the one from Bédoin. The ski system consisting of two smaller lifts and has an elevation difference of two hundred meters, so it’s not really comparable with Chamonix or other famous French ski resorts. The wind and the southern facing slopes makes it difficult to keep the resort open every winter. So maybe you should look elsewhere when you book your ski vacation.

Put me back on my bike!

Now it’s getting tougher when we get out of the woods and into the rugged lunar landscape of white limestone. High up there I can see the well-known tower in white and red at the old meteorological station. The road winds up the mountain side, curve by curve. It is only a few kilometer left now, but significantly steeper than the part through the forest. Soon I can feel the cramps coming back to my thighs again in one of the last curves, just below the memorial monument of Tom Simpson. I have no other option than to stop and get off the bike. Many cyclists have been punished in one way or another for their struggle on Mont Ventux, but for Tom, it all ended here, one km from the top. It was during a 200 km stage from Marseille in the 1967 edition of Tour de France. The heat was exceptional as they reach Bédoin and started the climb. In the last steep parts, close to the top, he began to wobble, and soon fell of his bike. “Put me back on my bike!”, rumours claimed he said. The spectators helped him back up, but Tom just managed a few hundred meters before he collapsed and fell, unconscious and still with his shoes fixed in the pedals. He died during the helicopter transport on his way to the hospital with both amphetamine and alcohol in the blood. Tom Simpson was one of Britain’s finest cyclists and the first to wear the yellow jersey.

Poolside recovery

I continue the last kilometre after the cramp has released, and it is with great relief I reach the top. We are many exhausted, but happy cyclists relaxing, taking pictures, drinking and eating what is offered before we roll down to Bédoin.

Once back in the hotel, I relax by the pool after a long awaited shower. Two Swedish couples also enjoy the sun and the heat. They are here for a week’s cycling holiday and have stopped in Bédoin for the night. But without plans to get up to Mont Ventoux. I linger by the pool for a long time to recover. Tomorrow’s stage is both longer and tougher, when we will climb the north side from Malaucène. By some considered the toughest climb. During 1951 edition of Tour de France, Mont Ventoux was part of the race for the first time. And so far, the only time from Malaucène. All other years has been from Bédoin.

I finish the evening at La Colombe restaurant opposite the hotel, where I eat duck confit with half a glass of locally produced wine. It’s not every day you’re in Provence.

Flat beginning

The start is one hour earlier, so we are having an early breakfast. From Bédoin we are cycling southeast. The road is relatively flat and the peloton is keeping a high speed. The first climb begins after 12-14 km, and quite soon the tight peloton stretches out. There are several cyclist that I recognize from yesterday, and the Englishman in red jersey is leading our group once again. I have no plans of repeating my mistakes from yesterday and am hiding in the middle of the peloton without any ambition to increase the pace.

Gorges de la Nesque

We ride up along the mountain ridge on road D942 and reach the ravine Gorges de la Nesque. The narrow road winds around the mountain massif. At best, we have one meter-high stone wall separating us from a several hundred meter precipice down to Nesque River in the valley. It’s stunningly beautiful where we cycle through short tunnels carved in the limestone. When the descend down towards Monieux starts, the asphalt is soaked by a rain that must have come during the night. The curves are taken with caution. We continue to Sault where we passed yesterday, but instead of taking the closest road up to Mont Ventoux we continue east towards Col de l’Homme Mort which takes us up to 1211 meters. An increase of almost 800 meters which causes the pulse to rise. If you know French, you might react to the name, which would be something like the Pass of the dead man. However, I do not find any explanation for the name. After the climb we pass through Montbrun les Bains where the sandy stone houses are surrounded by pine forests, cherry trees and vineyards. The small community on a hill has been designated as one of France’s most beautiful villages.

A motorcyclist from Norway

After a shorter climb, when we have cycled 80 km, we arrive at a food stop. Some in the peloton ride on, while I and several others stop to refill our empty bottles. Now I will not make the same mistake as I did yesterday. I wait for someone else to leave. A guy in a black jersey gets ready to continue, and I follow behind. It starts off with a gentle decline where he is catching decent speed, and I try to follow his wheel. His race number tag is folded in a way that I cannot see from which country he comes, but after a while I notice his socks with the Norwegian flag. I cycle up sideways and ask: “Are you from Norway?”. “Yes, yes”, he replies with a smile. I apologize for being on his wheel. “It’s cool,” he answers. “I was on your wheel all the way up”. After a while we see the group who chose not to stop. We take turn breaking the wind to chase the group and after a while we catch them and can slow down. My new Norwegian friend – Lars Tore, comes from Western Norway but lives in Geneva where he works as an engineer at Particle Accelerator CERN. Lars started cycling to stay in physical shape when he competed in road racing. After having finished his motorcycling career, he still continues to ride his bike and likes to go on long routes from Geneva. Sometimes up to 400 km. “This is my first Haute Route,” he explains, “but I’m thinking of cycling the Haute Route in Oman in March.”

Malaucène

We are now a group of six cyclists heading for Malaucène. The road goes up and down on mostly narrow roads without any real ascend and with almost no traffic. After just over 110 km, we reach the capital of Ventoux. Parts of the stone wall that once surrounded the city remains and in the centre lies the medieval fortress. Just before the climb begins, there is another food stop where we make a short stop to drink coke. We have a long climb in front of us and there is no soft start. It is 21 km to the summit with an average incline of almost 8%. This will require strong legs, perseverance and a stubborn mind. On flat roads you can suck the wheels of stronger cyclists, but now you have to do the job yourself. I have yesterday’s cramp in my head and try to keep an exertion level I can handle. It doesn’t take long before our group splits and I try to ignore those holding a faster pace. With high cadence we cycle into the pine forest, passing the remains of the old 6th century monastery Notre Dame du Groseau and continuing eastwards towards the top. This road is considerably wider and has better asphalt than the road up from Bédoin.

Bicycle service

I pass a cyclist who has stopped next to the road where he receives support from mechanics from Mavic. Like in Tour de France, they support cyclists from their yellow cars with bikes on the roof and the cars loaded with wheels and other spare parts. I use their service after the stage when Jean Patrick fine-tune my gears. Never have a more experienced mechanic serviced my bike. He has participated in no less than 35 Tour de France. After a while, I get passed by the cyclist who had stopped for help. Now on a yellow bike from Mavic.

Life is more important than my job

As we get out of the pine forest and see the top of Mont Ventoux from the north side, I’m being passed by a few cyclists. One of them is a small woman in a pink jersey who seems to pedal without effort. I decide to follow their wheels. The increased speed causes my pulse to rise, but now there are not many kilometer left. The road winds up the bare mountain of limestone and far up there I see the well-known white tower with the red mast. Just a few curves left now. But then I feel the pain coming back to the groin and have to slow down the pace, while I see the group continue up to the top.

The strong woman’s name is Gretchen Miller. She is from New Zealand but has lived in London for many years. When I finally get to the top I praise her for a strong effort. She started cycling ten years ago, after becoming unemployed in the financial crisis 2008. “That’s when I realized life was more important than my job.” When I ask if she has any background in any other sport she shakes her head. “I used to be good at drinking,” she says laughing. “But I stopped partying and started cycling instead”. Gretchen made her first Haute Route in 2012 and has participated in several tours in the Pyrenees, the Alps and in the Dolomites. The years of cycling has made her strong and when I later, on my way home, look in the results list, she is number three of all women.

Clouds are gathering

During the night to Sunday the clouds pull in and a light rain falls in the morning. The mountain is hidden in fog and the temperature has fallen considerably. Today it is a time trial with individual start from Bédoin, and I have got a start time at 10 o’clock. We are under the provisional tasks in the starting area and are waiting for our trip. Now it is man and woman against the mountain and against the clock. It is not allowed to lie on wheels. From Bédoin up to the summit is 21 km with an altitude difference of 1600 meters.

The cyclists roll down from the ramp one by one and cycle up the main street and turn right in the roundabout. The first kilometer are quite easy before getting into the barrels forest, then it directly becomes steeper and doesn’t flat out before we get out of the woods at the lift station. I start quite cautiously but slowly increase the pace, always with an eye on my computer. It feels good when I overtake a few cyclists, but soon I’m also passed by faster cyclists. A mixture of sweat and rain flows down from my forehead and I’m wet straight through. The legs feel good today and I’m increasing the pace.

In tweed and beret

The road from Bédoin was opened in 1882, but it was only at the beginning of the new century that someone got to the summit on bike for the first time. In September 1903, three moustachioed men left all the way from Saint-Étienne on bikes, with the aim of climbing the giants of Provence. But when they passed Bédoin and cycled into the forest they were taken by a rain storm and had to seek shelter. Eventually they had to turn around and spent the night in Bédoin where they dried their woollen clothes. Early the next morning they made a new attempt. Dressed in tweed and black berets they left Bédoin on their heavy bikes for a new attempt. This time, it all went well and they reached the summit as first cyclists ever. The sports journalist Adolphe Benoit from Marseille, one of the three cyclists, was so excited by this climb that he arranged the first bicycle race up the Mont Ventoux starting in 1908.

In a blurry dream

As we get out of the forest at Chalet Reynard, it flattens out for a short while as we pass the restaurant at the ski station. I grab a coke on the go before it’s getting steeper again. It’s the last kilometer of the stage and of the race, and the last race of the year. There is nothing holding me back. No need to play it safe or hold back. The last kilometer I go all in. In a blurry dream of pain and sweat I ride with the ghosts of Pantani and Coppi, side by side through the narrow path of spectators cheering and shouting our names all the way to the summit.

Cold and slippery descent

Arriving at the top, the cold wind quickly awakes me from my dream. Significantly contrasting the previous days. I find my backpack and put on all my clothes. The road down to Bédoin becomes slippery and biting cold. I see a couple of cyclists who have fallen on the wet asphalt, and back at the hotel, I get to know that my Dutch friend is on his way to the hospital with a broken collarbone. Really boring. But the Haute Route has been a great experience with nice and demanding cycling. There are many reasons to visit Provence for those who love cycling, whether you just want to venture between vineyards and medieval villages or visit flowering lavender fields. Or why not challenge yourself on a cycling race on Mont Ventoux? The mountain is waiting for you!

Facts

Haute Route

Haute Route has organized cycle races since 2011 and specialized in multi-day events for amateurs. The events was first held in the Alps. Now they organize race events in the Dolomites, the Pyrenees, Colorado and also in Norway. The 3-day race in Mount Ventoux was arranged for the second year. The races runs for 3 or 7 days. All information is available at www.hauteroute.org.

Provence

For best tourist information about Provence please visit www.provenceguide.com.

Getting there

Nearest airport is Marseille. The Haute Route organizes transfer from the airport.

Source

Historical information about Mont Ventoux is taken from – Ventoux: Sacrifice and Suffering on the Giant of Provence by Jeremy Whittle.

Photo Credit: OC Sport / Magnus Wiström – Fishcube Media

Text Author: Magnus Wiström