The Mont Ventoux Denivele Challenge, which finishes on the "bald giant" in Provence, has been running since 2019. As it is one of the toughest climbs in professional cycling, the event has enjoyed great popularity in recent years. Well-known names such as Jesus Herrada (2019) Aleksandr Vlasov (2020), Miguel Angel Lopez (2021), Ruben Guerreiro (2022) and Lenny Martinez (2023) in the men's category and Marta Cavalli (2022) in the women's category have already added their names to the roll of honour.
Mont Ventoux Denivele Challenge: Race director speaks out
However, the race will be cancelled in 2024. The reason: the Olympic Games, or rather the Olympic torch. Because in June, where the Mont Ventoux Denivele Challenge, the torch will be carried through the region.
"The CIC Mont Ventoux will not take place in 2024. We are passing the baton to the Olympic flame, which will be travelling through the Vaucluse and climbing to the summit of Mont Ventoux in June," explained Nicolas Garcera, General Director of CIC Mont Ventoux in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), adding: "I would like to thank our title partner CIC, which is maintaining its commitment to our side for the next editions and will also be present at our events in 2024, which themselves are not affected by the activities surrounding the Olympic Games."
2024 Olympics in Paris has a big impact on the cycling calendar, but also brings other races with it.
Mont Ventoux Denivele Challenge 2025
Mont Ventoux has become famous above all through the Tour de France and is one of the most difficult climbs there. It is therefore understandable that the Challenge has become so successful in just a few years. After the one-day race acquired the UCI Pro Series label this year, the organisers are doing everything they can to ensure that the Mont Ventoux Denivele Challenge can be held again in 2025 - also under the label.
"We are proud of the renewed confidence of the Union Internationale de Cyclisme and the Ligue Nationale de Cyclisme, which will allow us to keep the UCI Pro Series label, the second division of professional cycling, in 2025," said Garcera.
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
