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27 Apr 2025
3 May 2025

DISCOVER: Provence and Ventoux with Friends!

Experience this legendary region

27 Apr 2025
3 May 2025

Provence and Ventoux with Friends!

$8,950
Lead Guide:

Eros Poli

ABOUT THIS TRIP

“Like a dream.” That’s how Eros Poli describes his historic solo win over Mont Ventoux. A quarter of a century later, his courageous ride has become the stuff of legend, and it remains one of the most memorable stage victories in Tour de France history, a rare example of underdog success on one of the biggest climbs at the world’s biggest bike race.

We’re returning to that mountain to celebrate our man’s greatest success with a very special trip. The Ventoux is always a memorable climb, but riding up its slopes with someone who conquered it in such spectacular fashion, with the whole world watching, is a rare treat. This is your chance to relive the excitement and the emotions, to picture the mountain erupting with color and noise as Poli electrified the huge crowds, to experience one of cycling’s greatest challenges with the kind of insight, support and equipment that only inGamba can offer. We’ll also introduce you to a side of Provence that few visitors get to see. You’ll ride through hilltop towns and spectacular countryside, and indulge in the food and wine that has made this part of France so famous.

Included With Trip:

  • All lodging*†
  • All food and beverages**
  • Pinarello Dogma F Disk with SRAM RED eTap AXS
  • Daily Bike Wash
  • Custom Castelli × inGamba cycling kit
  • Daily post-ride massage from a professional soigneur
  • Laundry service for cycling clothing

*Pre/post-trip lodging is not included
†Flights are not included
**Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges

MEET THE GUIDES

EROS POLI

THE CHAMPION

The night before Eros Poli took victory atop Mont Ventoux he couldn’t sleep. It was not like he was dreaming of victory or even had the slightest idea the next day’s stage would change his life forever. It was just that it was hot. Unbearably, unsleepably hot in his less-than stellar French hotel. His roommate had taken his mattress off the bed and was sleeping on the small balcony outside their room. And the man who would shortly become known as Monsieur Ventoux was watching football, Italy vs. Brazil in the World Cup final, to be exact. Italy lost. The following morning as Eros dragged his weary, tired legs out of bed and down the stairs, as there was no lift, James Brown came into his head. “I feel good, I knew that I would now,” started to repeat over and over in his head. As it would the rest of the day. He felt good and the rest, as they say, is history.

team rider image

Paulo Crispim

Paulo began mountain biking at the early age of 16, and soon his love for bicycles, road cycling, and mechanics were there. Almost a decade later, he decided to take the risk and become a bicycle mechanic, but he never stopped participating in granfondos and amateur races. He joined inGamba as a mechanic in 2019 and now he is also one of our guides.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:

Marseille

FINISH LOCATION:

Marseille

TOTAL ELEVATION:

7,990m

TOTAL DISTANCE:

396km

DAYS RIDING:

6

GROUP SIZE:

12-18

LONGEST DAY:

Day 2 – 82km
Gorges de la Nesque

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Day 6 – 1,866m
Mont Ventoux

View Bike Options

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

1

MAZAN

Sunday | 34.2 km & 460m

Bienvenue en France! Our week begins with a fun little ride to get us settled in Provence. The loop will take us south to Mazan and through the outskirts of Carpentras, where our host Eros Poli won one of the most famous Tour de France stages ever. There is a gentle climb in the second half of the ride, but nothing too challenging. This is the time to make adjustments to your bike fit, so if something isn’t quite right please talk to one of the mechanics.

2

GORGES DE LA NESQUE

Monday | 82km & 1,460m

Today we’ll explore more of the Vaucluse region, which was known to the ancient Romans as Vallis Clausa, the Closed Valley. The route begins downhill for a few kilometers, followed by a short climb and a quick descent. From there, the climbing begins in earnest, taking us up past Monieux and then south to the outskirts of the Luberon park and a long, picturesque descent to home.

3

SAULT-CHALET REYNARD

Tuesday | 73.6km & 1,775m
We start pedaling east until we reach Bédoin. Then it’s all the way up to our first peak in the Notre Dame de la Consolation. After a slight descent towards the little town of Sault, we climb again all the way up to Le Chalet Reynard, a col with a length of 18.2km. This is a category 1 col. The average grade of this col is 3.9% with a maximum of 6.4%. Enjoy the views on your way down to our home.
4

ENTRECHAUX

Wednesday | 72km & 1,336m
It’s a day of ups-and-downs as we head north toward the Baronnies provençales Natural Regional Park. There will be undulating terrain from start to finish, and a number of charming old towns, including Entrechaux, Suzette, and Beaumes-de-Venise.
5

Le Mont Ventoux 30 Anniversary

Thursday | 62km & 1,866m
Get ready for one of the most famous routes in all of cycling. Our ride will be up and over the summit – just like the pros have traditionally done. At the ‘94 Tour, our very own Eros Poli found himself in a solo breakaway from the gun… and the rest, as they say, is history, as he rode to one of the most iconic victories in living memory.
6

MURS

Friday | 70km & 1,093m
This ride takes us to Murs, a quaint village in the Luberon park dominated by a restored chateaux from the 15th century. The town is set amongst the vineyards of the Cotes du Ventoux, and orchards of cherry trees. In other words, expect some quintessentially Provencal scenery.
7

DEPARTURE

Saturday
This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.

STAYING LONGER?

Adventure Continues…
Do you plan to come a few days early, or stay on after your inGamba adventure has ended? Our concierge can help you plan with a carefully curated selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and guides. All of our recommendations have been hand-picked by a team of local experts, so you can spend more time enjoying all that this destination has to offer.

The latest version of the DOGMA features an advanced fiber with remarkable tensile strength, which enables Pinarello to improve the bike’s lateral stiffness performance. With this enhancement, the New DOGMA F is engineered to tackle any road challenges, establishing itself as a reliable option for all kinds of rides.

In addition, it comes equipped with the new SRAM RED AXS, the lightest electronic groupset to date. The controls have been redesigned to offer smooth, comfortable ergonomics for a wide range of hand sizes. What makes this groupset stand out is the effortless braking, allowing for one-finger braking with minimal effort. The RED brakes now require 80% less effort when braking from the hoods and 33% less effort from the drops, delivering more power and reducing hand fatigue.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Pinarello New Dogma F

COCKPIT:

MOST Talon Ultra Fast

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa N.Ext

GRUPPO:

New SRAM RED AXS (Powermeter Included)

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

PEDALS:

Speedplay

BIDON:

Elite Jet

SADDLE:

Prologo

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1040

COLOUR:

inGamba Red

The NYTRO GRAVEL has a pure road racer DNA which upon launch marked an era in the E-BIKE/GRAVEL world. Featuring an iconic design, the Nytro Gravel is perfect for anyone looking for a road bike with powerful support for the toughest climbs.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Nytro Gravel E-Bike
(available for an additional fee)

COCKPIT:

ZIPP Service Course SL

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa N.Ext

GRUPPO:

SRAM RED eTap AXS

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

PEDALS:

Speedplay

BIDON:

Elite Corsa Team

SADDLE:

Prologo

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1030

COLOUR:

Saturn Silver