Bytager the publication “Iban Mayo and Haimar Zubeldia return to Mont Ventoux, 20 years later”
Twenty years after making cycling history on Mont Ventoux, former Spanish riders Iban Mayo and Haimar Zubeldia have returned to this legendary summit, this time from a different perspective. Without the pressure of competition, they revisit the place that shaped their careers, accompanied by a bike symbolizing the technological evolution of their sport.
Pictures: ©Orbea
A glorious past on the Ventoux
In June 2004, Iban Mayo achieved a feat that would go down in history by climbing Mont Ventoux alone in the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré time trial. With a time of 55 minutes and 51 seconds, he surpassed the favorites, taking the victory, the climb record, and the leader's jersey. It was an exceptional day, an unforgettable hat-trick. ", Mayo recalls nostalgically.
A record set on July 22, 2025, beaten by one minute by... Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, but also by Primoz Roglic.
Four years earlier, in 2000, Haimar Zubeldia had also left his mark on this legendary pass. During the Dauphiné, a solid performance on the stage leading to Ventoux earned him the lead in the general classification, finishing second in the final standings. Of all the passes of the Tour, the Ventoux is the one I remember. "He says.
A return full of meaning
This comeback has neither a bib nor a timed objective, but is driven by the undiminished passion of the two former champions. At 47 for Mayo and 48 for Zubeldia, the experience of riding this Provençal giant takes on a new dimension. What was once synonymous with pain and competition is now transformed into a moment of reflection and respect for their past. The effort is still there, but the body perceives it differently. " notes Zubeldia.
A blatant technological evolution
Unlike the climbs of yesteryear, completed on aluminum bikes equipped with mechanical gears, low-profile wheels, and rim brakes, this time the two riders rode the latest generation of the Orbea Orca. This model, featuring a cutting-edge carbon frame, disc brakes, full cable integration, and compatibility with electronic groupsets, embodies a technological revolution. Lighter, more efficient, and more responsive, this bike reflects the advances that have transformed the sport of professional cycling.
An inspiring contrast
If the montagWhile it retains its imposing character and challenges, cycling and its practitioners have evolved. This return to Mont Ventoux illustrates a bridge between two eras: that of raw physical struggle and that of performance optimized by technology. This meeting of past and present tells a story that continues to motivate new generations of cyclists, making Ventoux a timeless symbol of the sport.
