L'ÉTAPE DU TOUR - MONTÉLIMAR > MONT VENTOUX - 172 KM - Monday, July 20^th, 2009

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Monday, July 20^th, 2009 : Montélimar / Mont Ventoux

L’Etape du Tour Mondovélo under the blue skies of Mont Ventoux

The sun was already shining in the streets of Montélimar this morning at 7am for the start of the 17th edition of the l’Etape du Tour Mondovélo.

A record 8500 riders headed on to the roads of the Drôme and Vaucluse departments in their collective quest to climb the giant Mont Ventoux.

Numerous family members, friends and tourists were on hand at the refreshment points at Buis les Baronnies and Bédoin as well as the southern façade of the Mont Ventoux. The climb of the amateurs was achieved in an ambiance worthy of the Tour de France. A majority of those who rode will also line this same route when the professional take their turn this coming Saturday July 25th.

Recently crowned French road racing champion, Dimitri Champion won the event in 5 hours, 11 minutes after a stunning attack on the first inclines of the Mont Ventoux. Jean-Marc Bideau finished runner-up with junior rider Jimmy Turgis completing the podium.

In the ladies’ division, Magdalena De Saint Jean won and finished 74th overall in an incredible time of 5 hours, 47 minutes.

The 7396 riders who crossed the finish line were spoiled by the sweet aroma of lavender and extraordinary scenery along the roads lined with olive, apricot and cherry trees. It is with this pleasing image that we invite you to an all new Etape du Tour Mondovélo.

Download the press release - 20/07/2009 (.pdf)

June 2009 : Montélimar / Mont Ventoux

Come-back to the Mont Ventoux !

9 years after the dramatic experience of the 8^th edition, the Etape du Tour Mondovélo is coming back on the "Géant de Provence" .
In July 2000, the second part of the race was stopped by the organisers because of the weather on the summit (1° C and hail storm)

On the 20^th of July, you will start from Montélimar (Drôme) to the Mont Ventoux summit, after 172 km and 4 climbing (côte de Citelle, col d'Ey, col de Fontaube, col de Notre-Dame des Abeilles).

The race will be on the Monday 20^th of July.
The host village will take place in the Montélimar centre on the 18^th and 19^th of July.
The finish village will take place in the Mont Serein.

Montélimar, en Drôme Provençale.

Montélimar, the capital of nougat whose reputation has spread far beyond its boundaries, opens for your benefit the gates of Provence.
At the gates of this very human town, immediately the first lavender fields give off a scent of summer; close your eyes and hear the cicadas singing, you are in Montélimar country...

More information about the city… http://www.montelimar.fr
More information about tourism… http://www.montelimar-tourisme.com/

Can you put the Vaucluse on the map ?

Just where is it ? In Provence ! The Avignon Festival and the Palais des Papes ? The Luberon ? Mont- Ventoux ? All in Vaucluse ! Tourism in Vaucluse means living the Provence lifestyle to the hilt - theatre, music, art, festivities, olive oil, melon, truffles, lavender and other local fragrances and tastes express the Vaucluse terroir.

More information about the Vaucluse… http://www.vaucluse.fr/
More information about tourism… http://www.provenceguide.com/

More information about the Mont Ventoux… http://www.lemontventoux.net/
More information about the Mont Serein Ski Station…
http://www.stationdumontserein.com/

2008 Etape du Tour Mondovélo vidéos