Just two days after the highly demanding Critérium du Dauphiné, the world’s top cyclists are getting ready for the Mont Ventoux Challenge, which promises to be a tough challenge for all the climbers.
At the same time, Mont Ventoux Challenge gives us an excellent opportunity to check the latest cycling betting odds and find a couple of good cycling betting opportunities – some of which we will explore in this betting preview.
Race Information
In the 2021 Mont Ventoux Challenge, no cyclist could come close to Miguel Angel Lopez. The Colombian who was then – and still is – riding for Movistar performed admirably well and impressed on the flanks of the Kale Berg. Óscar Rodríguez was the closes to the Colombian, but even he couldn’t match Lopez and had to settle for second.
Just like in 2021, the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge will start in Vaison-la-Romaine, while the trail will remain almost identical. Again, the Mont Ventoux Challenge will be about 154 km long with more than 4.5km vertical meters and the same start point.
From Vaison-la-Romaine, the race will lead the riders straight up to the foot of the Col de la Madeleine, which might sound tougher than some may believe, with just 5.9km and a 2.9 percent.
After that, the riders will ascent Col de la Gabelle (8.8 km at 5.3%), which will offer far more challenge as a well-known climb many known as the start of the Col de Notre Dame des Abeilles. Although the road leads directly to Sault (where the riders will end up), the organizers of the race decided for a detour, leading through Gorges de la Nesque, which is 18.3 km long at 2.3%.
The ascent from Sault (25.6km at 4.4%) is the mildest of the three possible routes; however, the final seven kilometers go through the lunar landscape. Once the riders reach the top, the road descents to Malaucène, featuring familiar roads from earlier on the stage.
Then comes the Bos, with almost 10km of an uphill road at an average of 10%, continuing to Chalet-Reynard, where the road will flatten slightly, granted it will be far windier. The last 10 kilometers will get even steeper leading the riders to a 7.5% climb for over 21km up until the finish.
Mont Ventoux Challenge Betting Analysis
The Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge will welcome a relatively weak field, mainly because most of the top riders don’t care about this race and rather focus on more important events, mainly the Tour.
Still, there are a few riders we should keep an eye on.
Alejandro Valverde
Alejandro Valverde will rider alongside Iván Ramiro Sosa and Carlos Veron, two of which rode the Giro d’Italia (Velverde and Sosa). It was initially planned that Sousa would serve as a leader., but Valverde came out stronger; while Colombian passed out, Bala held up and did well in the early part of the lap.
Later Valverde fell through, leaving them in 11th place. Still, already showed in spring that he is far from worn out and is more than capable of winning the race. His best finish on this mountain dates back to 2009, when he finished second in the Dauphine.
Michael Woods
After finishing second in the Mercan Tour Classic behind Jakob Fuglsang, Michael Woods will start as one of the favorites in the race. Admittedly, he had a rough start to the season; he impressed in the Ardennes classics, finished sixth in Flèche Wallonne, and a tenth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Not perfect results, but Woods showed that he is not to be ignored.
Moreover, he has an experienced lieutenant with Chris Froome, but Froome might not race. He became ill in Dauphine and is still uncertain whether he will return this week.
Still, the Brit has made some serious noise of late, most notably at Mercan’Tour Classic, where he placed 11th (his best result since 2019). Moreover, he knows the Ventoux well, knowing that he won here in 2013. In 2016 he was on his way to another W but fell, so he will definitely be motivated to show the world that he still has it.
Juan Pedro López
Juan Pedro López is another rider that does well on longer slopes, as he had shown in the last Tour of Italy. The 24-year-old secured the pink jersey early into the lap (on Etna) and did not give it away for a very long time.
He eventually lost the jersey on the ride to Turin and eventually finished the Giro in 10th place. In 2021 he placed 13th in the Vuelta a España, and this year, he placed 11th in the Tour of the Basque Country, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Admittedly, López is still far from winning, but he has shown that he can be competitive, and we expect that to continue this week. Unfortunately, López’s teammate Antwan Tolhoek has some doubts as he might not turn out in the race.
Mont Ventoux Challenge Betting Preview
The Mont Ventoux Challenge might lack big-name riders, and it’s definitely not one of the most prestigious races of the season. But that doesn’t take away from the excellent betting opportunities the race offers.
We have found three excellent drivers who can impress, but at the offered cycling betting odds, there is just one we’re interested in.
Mont Ventoux Challenge Betting Prediction
It should not come off as a surprise that it’s Michael Woods who we’re most excited about. He has been excellent this season and has past solid cycling stats to show for it in this race. Although you could make a case for Lopez and Valverde, it’s hard to ignore Woods.
The Brit won here in 2013, and he came close to winning it again a couple of years later. It’s been nine years since, but based on his showings in 2022, there is denying that Woods has it in him to claim his second W at Mont Ventoux Challenge.
Prediction: Michael Woods
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