Valentin Paret-Peintre delivered France its first stage victory of this year’s Tour de France, narrowly defeating Ireland’s Ben Healy in a spectacular sprint finish atop the legendary Mont Ventoux during stage 16.
After four grueling hours racing from Montpellier, the dramatic conclusion unfolded on the mountain’s notorious final slopes. Healy, who previously won stage six and wore the coveted yellow jersey, launched his decisive attack with 350 metres remaining and appeared poised for victory as he led around the final hairpin turn.
However, Paret-Peintre from Soudal Quick-Step found another gear on the closing stretch, overtaking the EF rider by mere bike lengths to claim victory at the 1,910-metre summit, sending French supporters into wild celebration.
While the stage win captivated spectators, the overall championship battle remained fierce behind them. Jonas Vingegaard mounted relentless attacks against race leader Tadej Pogacar throughout the punishing 15-kilometre ascent, but the defending champion matched every acceleration to actually extend his advantage by two seconds.
Mont Ventoux’s barren, moon-like upper reaches have witnessed cycling’s greatest dramas, from Eddy Merckx requiring oxygen to Tom Simpson’s tragic death in 1967. Tuesday’s stage added another memorable chapter to the mountain’s storied Tour de France history.