The organisers of the CIC Mont Ventoux cycling race, previously known as the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenges, have communicated that the event’s next edition will be postponed until 2025. They cited the Olympic torch relay, set to pass through the Vaucluse department on June 19, 2024, as the primary reason for the delay. This significant event, they noted, will commandeer resources and attention in the region at that time, making the optimal organisation of the race unfeasible.
Continued Support from Sponsors and Cycling Bodies
In light of the postponement, Nicolas Garcera, the General Director of the race, has expressed gratitude towards their title partner, CIC, for their unwavering commitment to the event. CIC has assured its continued support for the upcoming editions. Garcera also mentioned that the public events in 2024, under their umbrella, would not be affected by the Olympic-related festivities in Vaucluse. He highlighted the pride they felt for retaining the confidence of the International Cycling Union and the National Cycling League, which has allowed them to keep the UCI Pro Series label for the 2025 race. This label denotes the race’s status as the second tier in the professional cycling circuit.
A Look at Past Events and Upcoming Activities
Since its inception in 2019, the CIC Mont Ventoux has been contested five times. In the most recent edition, Lenny Martinez of Groupama-FDJ clinched the victory over Michael Woods from Israel Premier Tech. Moreover, the organisers have confirmed that the traditional cycling sportive event, the Lapierre GF Mont Ventoux, will indeed take place on June 9, 2024. This event, which challenges amateur cyclists to climb the legendary slopes of the Giant of Provence, will offer two routes, covering 100 kilometres from Sault and 122 kilometres from Bédoin.
The women’s edition was already cancelled in 2023, and will clearly not take part in 2024 either. Despite a successful 2022 inaugural edition which saw Marta Cavalli win, the hope is that it returns in 2025.
