As a record-breaking heatwave covered Europe last weekend, French authorities reported a cyclist died while attempting to climb iconic Mont Ventoux in Provence.

On Saturday with a heat index of 40C (104F) the 57 year-old unidentified Belgian rider was climbing from Malaucene to the moonscape radio tower summit of Mont Ventoux when he suffered a heat related cardiac event and could not be resuscitated by paramedics.

Long considered the most famous Tour de France climb, Ventoux is a very popular “bucket-list” ride, with upwards of 200,000 cyclists attempting to reach the 1908 meter summit in the heat of summer from either Malaucene or Bedoin every year.

Unfortunately not everyone makes it up (or down) unscathed. The mountain usually claims the life of one or more riders each year, with many more injured in crashes while descending at high speed.

Earlier in the week a 63 year-old was helicoptered off Ventoux after crashing while descending towards Bedoin.

In 1967 pro Tommy Simpson of Great Britain died just short of the summit while competing in the Tour de France.

This year’s Tour de France will once again have a stage finish atop Ventoux, with Stage 16 on Tuesday 22 July potentially turning into a decisive battle for the maillot jaune leader’s jersey.

Photo Credit: file

© 2019-2025 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily