Record-breaking Performance on Mont Ventoux: Tadej Pogacar breaking previous records during stage 16 of the Tour de France cycle race.
Tadej Pogačar Breaks Mont Ventoux Climb Record at the 2025 Tour de France
In an incredible display of cycling prowess, Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates XRG set a new record for the fastest ascent of Mont Ventoux during Stage 16 of the 2025 Tour de France. The "Giant of Provence," as the mountain is nicknamed, is a grueling 20.74 km climb with an average gradient of 8.3%.
Pogačar's record-breaking time was 53 minutes and 47 seconds, shaving an impressive five minutes off his previous best. This performance not only secured him the KOM (King of the Mountain) title for the climb but also established a significant leap forward in ascent speed on Mont Ventoux.
Jonas Vingegaard of Visma | Lease a Bike gave Pogačar a tough challenge, completing the climb in 54 minutes and 32 seconds, with an impressive power output estimated at 6.52 W/kg. Vingegaard launched four attacks in the final kilometers of Stage 16, trying to distance Pogačar and chip away at his Tour lead.
The top six fastest times ever up the Mt. Ventoux segment were set during Stage 16 of the 2025 Tour de France. Kevin Vauquelin of Arkea B&B Hotels is the third-place KOM holder on the Mt. Ventoux segment, with a time of 56:45 and an average of 395 watts.
Oscar Onley of Picnic PostNL holds the second-place KOM position, with a time of 55:32 and an average speed of 22.4 km/h. Jordan Jegat is in fourth place with a time of 57:09 and an average speed of 21.8 km/h. Ilan Van Wilder is in sixth place with a time of 58:17 and an average speed of 21.4 km/h.
Sepp Kuss and Tobias Johannessen complete the Top 10 KOM times, with Kuss in fifth place and Johannessen in tenth. Alexey L and Valentin Paret-Peintre, who won Stage 16 of the Tour de France, round out the Top 10.
Historically, times on Mont Ventoux have improved gradually over the years, with the climb often seen as one of cycling’s greatest challenges, partly made famous by legends like Tom Simpson. The recent record times by Pogačar and Vingegaard demonstrate a significant leap forward in ascent speed on Mont Ventoux.
Mt. Ventoux, one of cycling's most iconic climbs, was first included in the Tour de France in 1951. Its steep ascent and barren, wind-swept summit have long been a proving ground for cycling legends.
[1] Tour de France Official Website [2] Strava Segment for Mont Ventoux [3] Cycling Weekly [4] Cycling News [5] Velonews
[1] Tadej Pogačar's record-breaking ascent of Mont Ventoux during the 2025 Tour de France reaffirms the prestige of sports competitions, as he set a new standard for sports performances.
[2] Competitive cycling, particularly the Mont Ventoux climb, has witnessed several advancements in sports technology. These developments, such as Pogačar's record-breaking time, demonstrate the continuous evolution of sports in pushing athletes to achieve remarkable feats.
