After 5 years of self-promoting Gran Fondo Ventoux Nicolas Garcera’s dream of turning it into a professional race up iconic Mont Ventoux is coming true.

On Monday, June 17th Garcera (and his wife) are putting on the UCI 1.1 Mont Ventoux Denivele Challenges for professionals on the same gran fondo course used by 2500 riders the day before.

Mont Ventoux is legendary, assaulted by over 200,000 riders every year, each struggling to reach the moonscape summit.

Although Ventoux is often a key battle ground in the Tour de France, it has no UCI professional race of it’s own – till now.

The 174km course features 4300m climbing including the classic Bedoin ascent of the “Géant de Provence,” and a summit finish beneath the indelible red/white radio tower that defines Mont Ventoux.

World Tour Pro teams including Ag2r-La Mondiale, EF Education First, Groupama-FDJ and Cofidis are sending their climbing specialists. After all, every racer would like to add a Mont Ventoux victory to their palmarès.

Even if you’re not a professional, gran fondo riders have three chances every year to add Mont Ventoux to their palmarès: Gran Fondo Santini Ventoux, Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux Beaumes-de-Venise and the 3-day Haute Route Ventoux.

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