Mont Ventoux Triple Challenge (Cinglés) – How to Ride All 3 Sides

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​Mont Ventoux is one of the most legendary climbs in cycling along with Alpe D'Huez.

The Mont Ventoux Triple Challenge – also known as the Cinglés du Mont Ventoux – pushes riders to tackle all three sides of the mountain in a single day. That’s over 130km and nearly 4,500m of climbing. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare, plan, and conquer this epic challenge. ​

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​What is the Mont Ventoux Triple Challenge? 

Cinglés de Mont-Ventoux roughly translates into English as the Mont-Ventoux Crazies!

Therefore a Cinglés des Mont-Ventoux is a crazy cyclists that challenges themselves to ride the Giant of Provence by all 3 roads to the summit in less than 24 hours. The Mont Ventoux triple challenge. 

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The challenge dates back to the late 1980's and involves riding every road to the summit in any order.  The Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux was created in 1988 and provides challengers with timing cards and a stamp system to record the day for a small registration fee. On success you receive confirmation and a medal of your achievement - more here - and in September 2025 I became the 22,240 member after a moving time of 7h34m over 137km and 4343M of climbing.  Here's my Strava

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The three sides of Mont-Ventoux - Bedoin, Malaucene and Sault

​Many riders opt for Bedoin first as its deemed to be the toughest and most famous. A steady start from Bedoin followed by the brutal forest section, a brief respite before Chalet Reynard before the final slog to the summit of Mont-Ventoux

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Bedoin to Mont Ventoux

Segment Stats

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Climb category: Hors Category

Distance: 20.9 km

Average gradient: 8.3%

Maximum gradient: 12.1%

Elevation gain: 1,569 m

Elevation change: 1,569 m

Min elevation: 318 m

Max elevation: 1,887 m

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Malaucene can be described as a steady and shaded start followed by gradients rising to 12% and a very challenging finish.

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Malaucene to Mont Ventoux

Segment Stats

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Climb category: Hors Category

Distance: 20.9 km

Average gradient: 8.3%

Maximum gradient: 12.1%

Elevation gain: 1,569 m

Elevation change: 1,569 m

Min elevation: 318 m

Max elevation: 1,887 m

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Sault is the longest and easiest route to the summit of Mont-Ventoux with a gentle gradient and even some flat sections before Chalet Reynard.

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Sault to Mont Ventoux

Segment Stats

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Climb category: Hors Category

Distance: 25.2 km

Average gradient: 5.3%

Maximum gradient: 11.4%

Elevation gain: 1,189 m

Elevation change: 1,189 m

Min elevation: 696 m

Max elevation: 1,886 m

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​My preparation for the Cinglés de Mont-Ventoux 

After two years of little motivation for cycling I started training in April for a September assault on the challenge.

 

Recommended fitness - on the day my FTP was around 3.5 watts per kilo and my training regime was inline with attempting an L'Etape du Tour or the Marmotte Granfondo. Fairly long days in the mountains, I'd only ridden around 5000kms however my elevation gain for the year was around 85000M.

 

Nutrition and Hydration Strategies - again similar to a long L'Etape type event, however its only you against the clock. I'd carbo loaded the previous two days, and on the day I took larger water bottles (750ml). There is a shop at the summit however this does not open until 08h30, hence my first summit was reliant on what I started with until I got to Bedoin. Chalet Reynard offers water for a fee however I didn't stop there on any lap to the summit. I visited cafe's in Bedoin and Malaucene and carried gels and energy bars for the day. 

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Pacing advise - I was using a power meter and guaged my effort to do similar watts on each climb. That said , I purposely went slow on the first climb to start the day with reserve in the engine. 

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Bike set up - gearing I used my usual 52/36 11/34. I was carrying a couple of cameras hence I used a handlebar bag and as mentioned earlier, larger water bottles. If in the heat of the Summer I'd likely take at least one litre bottle and a smaller one for energy drink.

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Tips for completing all three sides of Ventoux in a day 

• Start early - I rode in September and started at 5am. In the heat of the Summer I'd recommend even earlier.

• Stop in each village for a quick snack, however don't stop for too long! Cafe legs is the dread of many cyclists. I limited my stops to around 20 mins maximum with a quick cafe or bakery stop. 

• Take care on the descents - after long efforts its all too easy to get carried away on the descending and Mont-Ventoux can be busy later  in the morning and afternoon with cars and motorbikes.

• Prepare for the summit weather - ensure you are covering every eventuality as the weather can change super quick. I had a goretex jacket, arm warmers and a gilet plus gloves. I wore everything on the first descent!

 

Do you need to register for the Mont-Ventoux triple challenge?

Whilst not essential, registration gave me a focus for the day. Through the Cinglés de Mont-Ventoux website I received my check in card on which you note your time at the Mont Ventoux summits, Bedoin, Malaucene and Sault. The summit shop, and various cafe's and bakeries will stamp your card to confirm your stop. Once the challenge is complete you send off your stamped card and soon receive your finishers medal and confirmation of your entry to the club.

 

Frequently asked questions about the Mont-Ventoux triple challenge?

• How long does it take to ride the triple ascent of Mont Ventoux? This all depends on fitness and pacing. Expect a stronger rider to complete the Triple Mont Ventoux in 7 to 10 hours however including stops in Bedoin, Malaucene or Sault its a 9 to 12 hour day. My own challenge took just over 7 1/2 hours actual riding, 9 hours in total. This was a steady pace and compares to me normally finishing the L'Etape or Marmotte in the top 20% of riders. 

• Do I need special equipment? No - your normal road bike that you would use for any mountainous event is fine. Semi compact gearing (e.g. 52/36 + 11–34 or similar) suffices. But bring layering, gloves, wind jacket, and extra fluids.

• Can I attempt Mont Ventoux's three climbs in one ride without registering? Yes - registration gives you a stamp card and medal via Club des Cinglés, but you can ride on your own without registering.

• Which side of Mont Ventoux is the hardeest? The Bédoin side is often considered the toughest due to sustained steep gradients (average ~8.3 % over 20.9 km) and the forest section, making it physically demanding.

• Is the Cinglés du Mont Ventoux harder than La Marmotte or Etape du Tour? I would say on a par with both the L'Etape and the Marmotte 

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Conclusion

Riding the Mont Ventoux triple challenge in one day is a unique cycling challenge that combines endurance, mental toughness, and respect for one of the sport’s most iconic climbs. Whether you go for the official Cinglés medal or take it on for personal satisfaction, the Mont Ventoux Triple Challenge is an achievement every passionate cyclist will remember forever.

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My own ride to success on Mont-Ventoux 

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​At 05h00 on 8th September 2025 I rode out of Malaucene armed with my Cervelo Caledonia, a camera, a pocket full of gels and a big bag of motivation and attempted the triple Mont Ventoux challenge. Here's how the day went:

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How can BreatheBike help with your Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux challenge? 

Like the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes, and the L'Étape du Tour, the Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux is one of those challenges where its critical to ride at your own pace. We can provide logistics and support for your group, both in travelling to the Mont-Ventoux area and then supporting you and/or your group on the day of the challenge. Drop me a line to arrange an initial no obligation chat

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Interested in the Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux? Let's talk

Drop me an email here  ring me here 

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