This year marks a memorable moment in Tour de France history, returning to Mont Ventoux after a 5-year exclusion from the race. While the 2021 Tour de France has been full of remarkable highlights, this year's double ascent of the iconic Mont Ventoux, again, proved why it is one of the most challenging climbs in cycling.
2021 Mont Ventoux
Whether anticipated or not, Wout van Aert dominated this stage and the subsequent double ascent to earn the victory, attacking the second climb and holding the lead of over a minute for most of the climb and on the descent. While Tadej Pogacar showed some signs of slowing, he managed to keep the yellow jersey and overall lead by a few minutes.
While the 2021 climb and victory by Wout van Aert at Mont Ventoux was a spectacle to watch, it's hard to top the entertaining 2016 performance by Chris Froome (Team Sky), which was anything but lackluster in true Tour de France fashion.
2016 Mont Ventoux
You may very well remember 2016 Froome, Richie Porte, and Bauke Mollema all attacking together until the trio rode into the back of a television motorbike that appeared to stop suddenly in a road overflowing with spectators. All three riders crashed, allowing their rivals to ride past them. Of the three riders, Mollema rose quickly and returned to his bike while Froome desperately needed a new one due to damage from the crash.
In a panic, Froome took off on foot sprinting up the road, sensing the finish line was close. After stopping to call his team car, which was 5 min behind in traffic, he took a spare bike from the Mavic neutral service. Again, this incorrectly sized bike failed him. He eventually located a team bike and quickly raced to the finish line trying to limit his losses. However, he finished close to two minutes back, shaking his head as he crossed the line.
Due to his time loss, Froome initially slipped to sixth in the overall classification, 53 seconds below Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange). Eventually, officials revised the results, giving Froome and Porte the same finishing time as Mollema, meaning Froome kept his yellow jersey. Chris Froome's 2016 incident and resilient show of perseverance will continue to go down as one of the most unforgettable moments in recent Tour de France history.
As a result and to applaud this show of sportsmanship, the Thread + Spoke creative team designed and released the “Mont Ventoux Running Club” t-shirt. Since 2016, this popular design has continued to bring cyclists and creatives together. Now, 5 years later, the legend lives on. For your personal Mont Ventoux Running Club shirt, shop today or visit our Tour Collection full of eye-catching Tour de France cycling apparel and designs.
Also in Journal
Road Bikes VS Gravel Bikes: Which is Right for You?
Road bikes and gravel bikes are two popular types of bicycles that are designed for different purposes. Road bikes are specifically designed for speed and efficiency on the tarmac, while gravel bikes are built for versatility and durability on unpaved roads and mixed terrain. In this article, we will compare and contrast road bikes and gravel bikes to help you decide which one is right for you.
SRAM vs Shimano MTB Brakes: Which is Best?
When it comes to mountain biking brakes, two of the most popular brands are SRAM and Shimano. Both companies offer high-quality products, but there are a few differences between them that may influence which one you choose to put on your cockpit.
Hayes Dominion A4 Brake Review | The Best MTB Brake?
As an avid mountain biker, it can seem that the quest to find the perfect brake can be a never-ending task. Too much bite sends you over the bars. Too little, and you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the cliff. Well, I think I may have found the perfect brake and it’s a bit out of the ordinary... In my opinion, the Hayes Dominions are the best mountain bike brake on the market.
