Mont Ventoux from Bédoin

The hardest of the three routes and the one most riders come for. The first 5.5km to Saint-Esteve roll at around 4%, lulling you in. Then the forest hits and the gradient jumps to a relentless 9% average for the next 9.5km, with ramps touching 12%. There's almost no variation through this section, just trees and effort.

At Chalet Reynard (km 15.5) the trees disappear and you're on the exposed moonscape for the last 6km. Wind is a factor up here, and the final stretch past the Tom Simpson memorial kicks back up to 10%. You can see the summit the whole way, which helps and hurts in equal measure.