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Tadej Pogačar sets new record up Mont Ventoux

Pogačar climbs the mountain in 53 minutes and 47 seconds, breaking his own record.

July 23, 2025 at 09:20 AM

Tadej Pogačar just set a new fastest time up Mont Ventoux during stage 16 of the Tour de France

The Slovenian shaved 5 minutes off his previous record.

Tadej Pogačar breaks record for fastest climb of Mont Ventoux during Tour de France

Tadej Pogačar set a new fastest time for climbing Mont Ventoux during stage 16 of the Tour de France yesterday. He completed the ascent in 53 minutes and 47 seconds, averaging 23.1 kilometers per hour. Mont Ventoux, known as the 'Giant of Provence,' rises steeply over the surrounding terrain and is a legendary climb in cycling. Pogačar's new time is over five minutes faster than his previous record from 2021. This latest stage featured a relatively flat distance before the climb, allowing riders to build speed. However, despite his impressive climb, Pogačar and his team allowed an early breakaway to take the lead, which ultimately secured the stage win for Valentin Paret-Peintre. Other cyclists like Oscar Onley also achieved commendable times, reflecting the fierce competition present in the race.

Key Takeaways

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Pogačar's new record is 53 minutes and 47 seconds for Mont Ventoux.

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He improved his time by over five minutes from 2021.

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The climb is 20.74 kilometers long with an average gradient of 8.31 percent.

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Pogačar used a lightweight Colnago Y1Rs bike specially designed for aerodynamics.

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Despite his fast time, he did not secure a stage win as a breakaway rider triumphed.

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The average amateur takes over two hours to climb Mont Ventoux, showcasing Pogačar's elite status.

"Pogačar's performance reflects the new heights of modern cycling."

This emphasizes how technological advances and race strategies evolve cycling performance.

"Aerodynamics outweigh small weight savings in cycling."

This insight from Colnago sheds light on the importance of bike design in competitive events.

Pogačar's record-breaking performance highlights the evolving dynamics of professional cycling. As technologies and strategies improve, riders are pushing boundaries even further. The use of specialized bikes and carefully planned race strategies, combined with favorable conditions, can significantly impact performance. Yet, the outcome remains unpredictable, as seen in the stage's breakaway. Pogačar's decision to let the breakaway lead also raises questions about race strategy, making the upcoming stages all the more intriguing.