Marta Cavalli etched her name into the history books with a commanding solo victory atop Mont Ventoux in the 2022 edition of the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge Women. The race, held over 100 kilometres, marked the first time the professional women’s peloton had raced to the summit of the legendary climb in a standalone event. Aside from a brief appearance in the 2016 Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche, the “Giant of Provence” had never previously featured at the top of a women’s professional race.
The day began with a short and intense route, designed to culminate in the brutal ascent to the Mont Ventoux observatory at 1,909 metres above sea level. From the flag drop, there was little delay before riders began to animate the race. Jade Wiel played a key role early on by joining the first significant breakaway, allowing her team to have a rider up the road and avoid being forced to chase.
Back in the bunch, Cavalli’s team kept the tempo high. Stine Borgli took on the bulk of the work at the front of the peloton, gradually reeling in the move and maintaining pressure on the climb’s lower slopes. As the road steepened through the forest and the group thinned, the break was caught and the favourites began to emerge. With 10 kilometres to go, the race was still tightly bunched, but the pace and gradient were starting to bite.
By the time the race reached Chalet Reynard, just over 6km from the summit, the front group was reduced to a handful of the strongest climbers. At this point, Brodie Chapman and Victorie Guilman increased the tempo, stripping the group back even further. Cavalli was delivered perfectly, with the final move choreographed in advance.
With 2.5 kilometres remaining, Cavalli surged clear. None of her rivals could respond. The Italian climbed steadily through the exposed, white-rocked upper slopes, pulling out a clear gap on the other contenders. Behind her, Clara Koppenburg tried to give chase but never managed to close the distance. Evita Muzic measured her effort well, managing to overhaul Pauliena Rooijakkers before the finish to seal third place and complete a memorable day for the team.
After crossing the line, Cavalli explained that her preparation for the race had been thorough and targeted. She said she had studied the climb several times, particularly from past editions of the Tour de France, and had been thinking about Mont Ventoux throughout her recent training block. She described the final kilometres as long and punishing, but said she had felt good and had found the same sensations she’d experienced during earlier altitude training camps. The win, she added, was made even more special by the opportunity to offer her team another victory.
Muzic reflected on the effort that went into the performance, describing the race as “a perfect day” for the team. She highlighted the effectiveness of the group’s communication, particularly in the absence of race radios, and praised her teammates for setting up Cavalli in the best possible position. Muzic said that once Cavalli had attacked, she rode her own pace to manage the climb and was proud to finish on the podium while still wearing the French national champion’s jersey, which she would soon defend.
Team manager Stephen Delcourt echoed the sense of collective success. He described how the team took control early, with Wiel in the break, Borgli setting tempo, and Chapman and Guilman upping the pressure from Chalet Reynard. Once the race entered the steepest section, he said, Cavalli’s class showed through and she made her move. Delcourt called it a landmark victory, not just for the team, but for the wider visibility and growth of women’s racing on iconic climbs.
2022 Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge Women result
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