Giant vanquished by Alpine jumping pest in France
In the 2025 Tour de France, French rider Valentin Paret-Peintre made history by triumphing on Mont Ventoux, a feat not achieved by a French cyclist in 23 years. Paret-Peintre outmanoeuvred Irish competitor Ben Healy in a nail-biting finale, securing the first French stage win of the Tour [1][2][3][4].
Mont Ventoux, known as the "Giant of Provence" or "Beast of Provence," is one of cycling's most iconic and challenging climbs, with a length of approximately 15.7 km and an average gradient of 8.8% [2]. Paret-Peintre, who stands at 1.76m tall and weighs 52 kg, showcased his unique abilities to excel on the gruelling slopes [2].
The stage was a fiercely contested battle, with a large breakaway group and intense duels between the top contenders for the overall lead, including Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, who led the favourite duos in the chase behind Paret-Peintre and Healy [3][4].
Paret-Peintre's victory is historically significant as it ended a long wait for a French win atop Mont Ventoux, a climb deeply ingrained in French cycling folklore. His emotional reaction underscored the personal and national importance of the achievement, calling it a "dream scenario" and a recognition of Mont Ventoux's mythical status in cycling history [1].
This win brought renewed pride and excitement to French cycling fans during the 2025 Tour [1][5]. It is worth noting that another French favourite, Julian Alaphilippe, unintentionally finished a stage after two Belgian riders due to a misunderstanding in the sprint finish. Alaphilippe had previously crashed, dislocated and relocated his shoulder, and his team radio wasn't working during the race [6].
Despite finishing 8th, Alaphilippe noticed that Vingegaard and Pogacar flew past him at Mont Ventoux [7]. The last French stage win was 380 days ago, and the skinny guy from Savoy, Valentin Paret-Peintre, redeemed the home nation by winning the stage at Mont Ventoux in this year's Tour de France [8].
The victory was witnessed by cycling author and doping expert Tom Mustroph [9]. Interestingly, Richard Virenque's doping past was overlooked in Tuesday's celebrations, as it took 23 years for a French rider to triumph on Mont Ventoux again, with Virenque achieving this in 2002 [10].
France is currently basking in the joy of Paret-Peintre's victory, with the nation laughing at the Tour de France in celebration [11]. This win marks a landmark moment in the 2025 Tour de France and for French cycling history, symbolizing a return to form on one of the sport’s most celebrated mountains after a 23-year hiatus.
[1] The Guardian [2] Cycling Weekly [3] VeloNews [4] ESPN [5] Le Figaro [6] Cycling News [7] Cycling Weekly [8] Le Parisien [9] L'Equipe [10] Cycling Weekly [11] Le Monde
Sports fans across France rejoiced as Valentin Paret-Peintre triumphantly took the win atop Mont Ventoux in the 2025 Tour de France, ending a 380-day drought of French stage victories in cycling's prestigious race. The victory on the iconic climb, known as the "Giant of Provence" or "Beast of Provence," was a historical feat for Paret-Peintre and French cycling.
