Giant Leap For Women's Cycling

This year the lunar slopes of Mont Ventoux hosted its first ever summit finish of a women’s race.

- Vern Pitt

Mont Ventoux added to its place in cycling history this year when it played host to the indelible image of Chris Froome, wearing the Tour de France’s yellow jersey, running up the course rather than riding, following a collision with a motorbike. But while that moment will live in the memory of many of the sport’s fans for its absurdity, just weeks later it hosted a more significant event — the first women’s summit finish on the Giant of Provence.

The third stage of the women’s Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche wound 75km through the region before climbing the mountain that has been the backdrop to numerous moments forever etched into cycling’s history books — from Tom Simpson’s early death on its slopes, to Marco Pantani’s controversial victory over Lance Armstrong in 2000 and, most recently, Chris Froome’s dominant display as he soloed to victory here in 2013.