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Ventoux
‘They’re all scared. Everybody’s afraid’ – Eddy Merckx ‘Nothing compares to the Ventoux’ – Lance Armstrong 'Heart-stirring and jaw-dropping in equal measure' – Tim Moore The French call Ventoux ‘the killer mountain’ and in 1967 it claimed its most famous victim, as former world champion Tom Simpson died near the summit during that year’s Tour de France. The terrible ascent of Ventoux’s south side encapsulates both the brutality and beauty of this cruel sport, but also highlights cycling’s ongoing battle to distance itself from its demons. Yet it was the legendary and extreme climb of Mont Ventoux that first inspired award-winning author Jeremy Whittle ’s love of cycling, so much so that he bought a house in its shadows. Ventoux is his memoir to the Giant of Provence in which he reveals the little-known history of the Ventoux, and tells the story of a monstrous climb that has driven riders to near-hysteria and also to wild extremes of doping. It has provided the spectacular backdrop to some of cycling’s most titanic contests, exposing the true character of those who take on the challenge. Through a series of revealing conversations with Lance Armstrong, Dave Brailsford , Alastair Campbell, Nicole Cooke, Tyler Hamilton, Eddy Merckx , Simpson’s daughter, Joanne, and many others, Whittle details the poignancy of bitter memories, flawed obsessions and ruthless ambition that have made the Ventoux so feared and so infamous. ' Highly recommend Jeremy Whittle's Ventoux - a fascinating and expert insight into the mountain and into the current state of pro racing' Peter Cossins
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2017
When I first lifted this book I was a bit surprised by the weight- yes, it was hardback but how could it be possible to fill so many pages just on one mountain, despite the fact that it was the Ventoux? It didn't take long to find the answer.
What Whittle has produced is a very readable combination of history, geography, topography, personal recollections, human tragedy and inspiration, drama and a review of the current state of cycling, with the Giant of Provence and the demise of Tommy Simpson as the main threads holding it together. Some chapters are an imagining of Simpson's last few hours as he approaches his death within touching distance of the summit, taken from his perspective. This is a brave decision on the part of the author- it would be so easy to romanticise the tragedy or be accused of being a ghoul. Yet despite everyone who lifts the book knowing what happened on the 13th July 1967, he still manages to ratchet up the tension and it encapsulates what the Ventoux means and its far reaching impact.
While the focus is always on the Ventoux, the book takes us far and wide, from meeting Joanne Simpson in Belgium through to Texas where Whittle meets Lance Armstrong after being persona non grata for asking questions long before the Oprah confessions. These meetings, while ostentiably about the fact Armstrong never really tamed the Ventoux, and the only chance he had of winning a stage there saw him uncharacteristically gifting the victory to Pantani (which actually offended the Italian), also expands into discussing quite forthrightly his doping and how the media were complicit in many ways. It does serve as a kind of mea cupla for Whittle, almost as if he was seeking redemption for the percieved failings of journalists during Armstrong's dominance, in the same way the Ventoux was approached by Simpson who needed success there to turn his own life around again . There are also some interesting bits of detail left up for the reader to interpret- for example when Armstrong introduces Whittle as "my old friend Jeremy" to his son.
Up until the internet rose to prominence, books like this would be seen as permanent records of what had happened, and care would have been taken to avoid too much contemporous content since that would date it very quickly. However Whittle sees this as an opportunity to engage with some very current events as books are now almost as disposable as yesterdays newspaper. Therefore he discusses the issues with Team Sky and how Michelle Froome's handling of the media on behalf of her husband leaves journalists with more questions than answers. It is a bit fo a risk including this in a printed medium- it still takes time to produce books and if these issues had been dealt with between writing and publication it could have derailed and made it irrelevant before it even hit the shops. However the questions have been more intense and the evasion increasing so this acts as a good primer on the current state of cycling. Interviews with Brailsford, nominally about Ventoux and the revelation of blacklists being operated which journalists are added to (and Whittle knows he is probably on those lists after this book) add an extra layer that goes beyond the debates as to what side of the mountain the Tour should use.
There are also some recollections of Whittle's own history with the Ventoux which are enjoyable (especially when discussing the descent in his mum's car) and overall this is an intricate, well structured and well-thought out book. The usual suspects will probably pop up and label him a "Sky hater" because he is offering a nuanced and balanced look at theri recent controversies,but overall this is still a love letter to the Bald mountain. When we aren't struggling with him as he climbs it, we are considering how a single mountain known for being almost desolate and dead past the treeline can have a life that extends well beyond national borders or geographical barriers.
What Whittle has produced is a very readable combination of history, geography, topography, personal recollections, human tragedy and inspiration, drama and a review of the current state of cycling, with the Giant of Provence and the demise of Tommy Simpson as the main threads holding it together. Some chapters are an imagining of Simpson's last few hours as he approaches his death within touching distance of the summit, taken from his perspective. This is a brave decision on the part of the author- it would be so easy to romanticise the tragedy or be accused of being a ghoul. Yet despite everyone who lifts the book knowing what happened on the 13th July 1967, he still manages to ratchet up the tension and it encapsulates what the Ventoux means and its far reaching impact.
While the focus is always on the Ventoux, the book takes us far and wide, from meeting Joanne Simpson in Belgium through to Texas where Whittle meets Lance Armstrong after being persona non grata for asking questions long before the Oprah confessions. These meetings, while ostentiably about the fact Armstrong never really tamed the Ventoux, and the only chance he had of winning a stage there saw him uncharacteristically gifting the victory to Pantani (which actually offended the Italian), also expands into discussing quite forthrightly his doping and how the media were complicit in many ways. It does serve as a kind of mea cupla for Whittle, almost as if he was seeking redemption for the percieved failings of journalists during Armstrong's dominance, in the same way the Ventoux was approached by Simpson who needed success there to turn his own life around again . There are also some interesting bits of detail left up for the reader to interpret- for example when Armstrong introduces Whittle as "my old friend Jeremy" to his son.
Up until the internet rose to prominence, books like this would be seen as permanent records of what had happened, and care would have been taken to avoid too much contemporous content since that would date it very quickly. However Whittle sees this as an opportunity to engage with some very current events as books are now almost as disposable as yesterdays newspaper. Therefore he discusses the issues with Team Sky and how Michelle Froome's handling of the media on behalf of her husband leaves journalists with more questions than answers. It is a bit fo a risk including this in a printed medium- it still takes time to produce books and if these issues had been dealt with between writing and publication it could have derailed and made it irrelevant before it even hit the shops. However the questions have been more intense and the evasion increasing so this acts as a good primer on the current state of cycling. Interviews with Brailsford, nominally about Ventoux and the revelation of blacklists being operated which journalists are added to (and Whittle knows he is probably on those lists after this book) add an extra layer that goes beyond the debates as to what side of the mountain the Tour should use.
There are also some recollections of Whittle's own history with the Ventoux which are enjoyable (especially when discussing the descent in his mum's car) and overall this is an intricate, well structured and well-thought out book. The usual suspects will probably pop up and label him a "Sky hater" because he is offering a nuanced and balanced look at theri recent controversies,but overall this is still a love letter to the Bald mountain. When we aren't struggling with him as he climbs it, we are considering how a single mountain known for being almost desolate and dead past the treeline can have a life that extends well beyond national borders or geographical barriers.
September 11, 2025
I got through this fast, a lot of the names meant little to me but it was still very engaging and interesting. Helps to have been up it. Inspired me to ride my bike on a day off too, the power of books eh?!
July 17, 2019
One of those cycling books written by a true afficianado, but while there are statistics and data to satisfy most fans, the mountain is used as a stage set upon which to present a series of spectacles. Taken together, a picture emerges of a badly flawed sport, rotten at it's core (iredeemably so, I feel) yet surrounded by a loyal fan base who all naively hope that the patient will recover and be clean again.
I have climbed the Ventoux myself, in my thirties-as a tourist- and despite being a very fit rider, I found it a challenge... I almost abandoned. My companion on the day, a seasoned and very handy club rider, went to pieces. So I respect any rider, doped or otherwise, who manages to climb the giant of Provence.
I admired Whittle's determination and nerve, going after some of the big name dopers and asking difficult questions. I particularly enjoyed the section on Lance Armstrong, and how he doesn't let that dissembler off the hook. For me, it wasn't so much about the fact that Armstrong doped, (most did) but the way he bullied and lied his way around every race he was in, like cycling's Donald Trump.
Whittle presents some clear observations about the doping scene and they're worth reading. I had suspected things weren't right with Sky for some time and again, it was illuminating (and annoying) to read the observations, culminating in the mishandling of "Jiffygate".
There's a lovely section on Tommy Simpson and his daughter's search for the truth about her Dad's death...I feel that might not end happily, but you never know. I was 15 when Simpson died on the Ventoux and it rocked my world back then, the more so when all the sordid details came out. We have some sequences in Simpson's voice, perhaps exploring the reasons and motivations behind his final hours...I found these interesting and poignant.
Other riders are spotlighted, particularly Nicole Cook and the injustices and predjudice she experienced during the tour and while riding to a superb (clean) victory on the Ventoux.
The descriptions of places in Vaucluse brought back happy memories- and the history of the nazi occupation was dark and disturbing.
I could go on...I'll just say that I really enjoyed the book. I'm a dyed-in-the-lycra cycling fan and this book felt authentic and sincere. Five stars- chapeau :-)
I have climbed the Ventoux myself, in my thirties-as a tourist- and despite being a very fit rider, I found it a challenge... I almost abandoned. My companion on the day, a seasoned and very handy club rider, went to pieces. So I respect any rider, doped or otherwise, who manages to climb the giant of Provence.
I admired Whittle's determination and nerve, going after some of the big name dopers and asking difficult questions. I particularly enjoyed the section on Lance Armstrong, and how he doesn't let that dissembler off the hook. For me, it wasn't so much about the fact that Armstrong doped, (most did) but the way he bullied and lied his way around every race he was in, like cycling's Donald Trump.
Whittle presents some clear observations about the doping scene and they're worth reading. I had suspected things weren't right with Sky for some time and again, it was illuminating (and annoying) to read the observations, culminating in the mishandling of "Jiffygate".
There's a lovely section on Tommy Simpson and his daughter's search for the truth about her Dad's death...I feel that might not end happily, but you never know. I was 15 when Simpson died on the Ventoux and it rocked my world back then, the more so when all the sordid details came out. We have some sequences in Simpson's voice, perhaps exploring the reasons and motivations behind his final hours...I found these interesting and poignant.
Other riders are spotlighted, particularly Nicole Cook and the injustices and predjudice she experienced during the tour and while riding to a superb (clean) victory on the Ventoux.
The descriptions of places in Vaucluse brought back happy memories- and the history of the nazi occupation was dark and disturbing.
I could go on...I'll just say that I really enjoyed the book. I'm a dyed-in-the-lycra cycling fan and this book felt authentic and sincere. Five stars- chapeau :-)
August 20, 2021
I wasn’t sure how to score this. The core of the book, when it focuses on the Ventoux, the stories, the pain, the motivations, is interesting and sometimes powerful. I learned a lot and enjoyed it.
Shoehorned incongruously into the middle of this, is a personal rant against Team Sky, which somehow manages to turn the fact that Dave Brailsford doesn’t really like speaking to him any more, into 50 passive aggressive pages of innuendo. There is definitely a book to be written about Team Sky, but it needs to be better than this.
Shoehorned incongruously into the middle of this, is a personal rant against Team Sky, which somehow manages to turn the fact that Dave Brailsford doesn’t really like speaking to him any more, into 50 passive aggressive pages of innuendo. There is definitely a book to be written about Team Sky, but it needs to be better than this.
April 25, 2021
A memoir of the Giant of Provence including interviews with Lance Armstrong, Dave Brailsford, Tyler Hamilton, Nicole Cooke and Tom Simpson’s daughter. Tom Simpson died cycling up the Ventoux in the Tour de France in 1967.
June 10, 2023
If only it was 100 pages shorter, it would be a perfect guide to that hill. This was it is still probably the best one out there but with some stories that are only really vaguely connected to Ventoux and make the whole experience slightly less concentrated and emotional.
March 2, 2019
Excellent writing. Brought back memories, will have to go back one day soon. Would be 5 stars but for a 40 page rant about Sky. Pity the edotirs didn;t get him to drop that part.
July 25, 2022
I LOVED the bits about the Ventoux, it made me want to get out there and ride it! I was not so keen on the doping bits but I guess they go hand in hand.
April 30, 2021
Does this book contain facts? Yep! Are they about Ventoux? Sometimes! Is most of it the rambling thoughts of a journalist covering all of cycling, including his DMs with Chris Froome's wife and hanging out with Lance Armstrong? IT SURE IS! There's a few passages of decent writing here, especially the last chapter or so, but good god it's a tedious read most of the time. 1.9/5
June 23, 2019
Really excellent. Very accessible and would appeal to hardcore and casual fans alike. The mixture of culture, travel and sport is a joy and has made me want to start planning a trip to the region
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews