Colnago Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux 2026

The route

Mont Ventoux is the most recognisable climb in the Tour de France and one of the most historically loaded places in world cycling. The Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux, starting and finishing in Vaison-la-Romaine, takes riders up its two most famous faces: Bédoin, the hardest at 21 km averaging 7.5%, and Malaucène, slightly less severe but equally spectacular. In June, when the event takes place, the Ventoux receives wind on almost every day. The summit sits above the tree line and nothing breaks the airflow.

The long distance of 175 km links both ascents of the Ventoux with connecting kilometres through Provençal vineyards and lavender fields. The 110 km option does a single climb. The Bédoin ascent begins with a deceptively gentle false flat from Bédoin to Saint-Estève before the gradient locks in through the forest with no relief until the summit at 1,912 metres. The final 6 km above the tree line, fully exposed to the wind, are what define the climb: the Mistral can add 30 to 40 km/h of headwind to a gradient that already exceeds 8%.

The Mistral is the defining weather factor on the Ventoux. This northwesterly wind, channelled through the Rhône valley, can reach 80 to 100 km/h at the summit on extreme days. In June it does not always blow, but when it does it changes the character of the climb completely. Below the tree line the wind is barely felt; above it the impact is total. A Ventoux morning without the Mistral is a gift. The forecast the evening before, specifically wind speed and direction at summit level, determines whether the climb will be hard or brutal.

The event is well organised and has become a reference on the European cyclosportive circuit, drawing participants from over 40 countries. Vaison-la-Romaine is a well-equipped Roman town used to welcoming large numbers of cyclists. Registration opens in autumn and it is worth not waiting: places go quickly. If you are climbing the Ventoux for the first time, save energy for the upper half of Bédoin. The final 8 km catch a lot of riders by surprise.

Variants and GPX

Past editions

Real Open-Meteo weather on each edition day.

How to register

Registration, price and rules are on the official website of the organization. Official march website →

More information

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Keep reading about planning routes with wind