Man, what a day. If you missed the Tour de France stage 16 highlights, honestly, you missed the moment the 2025 Tour finally felt like a French race. It’s been a long wait for the home fans, but Valentin Paret-Peintre just gave everyone a masterclass on how to suffer.
The "Giant of Provence" usually breaks people. Mont Ventoux isn't just a hill; it’s a lunar landscape where the wind tries to push you backward and the sun cooks you alive on the white limestone.
The Breakaway That Wouldn't Settle
The morning started fast. Like, really fast.
Basically, the first 100km was a total war to even get into the break. We saw big names like Wout van Aert and even the green jersey leader Jonathan Milan jumping into moves. They weren't there for the win, obviously, but for that intermediate sprint in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Eventually, a massive group of 34 riders pulled away. It was way too big. Groups that size never work together properly because everyone is looking at everyone else.
Soudal Quick-Step played it perfectly though. They had Valentin Paret-Peintre and Ilan Van Wilder in there. They even had Pascal Eenkhoorn drop back from the move just to pull for them, sacrificing his own chances. That’s the kind of teammate you want when you're staring down the barrel of a 15.7km climb.
Tour de France Stage 16 Highlights: The Ventoux Showdown
When they hit the bottom of the climb, the heat was hovering around 28°C. By the time they finished, it was significantly cooler, but the intensity only went up.
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Enric Mas went early. He’s a veteran, he knows his stuff, but the wind on the "bald mountain" is a different beast. He opened up a minute, but he was dangling out there alone.
Behind him, Ben Healy—the guy who won Stage 6 on Bastille Day—was absolutely flying. He’s got this weird, gritty style where he always looks like he’s about to collapse, but he just keeps finding another gear. He and Paret-Peintre reeled Mas in, and then it became a two-horse race for the ages.
Paret-Peintre vs. Healy: A Tactical Masterpiece
Healy attacked. Paret-Peintre followed. Paret-Peintre attacked. Healy followed.
They were so evenly matched it was almost painful to watch.
"I was near giving up," Paret-Peintre admitted afterward. You could see it in his eyes. He looked completely cooked. But the crowd on the Ventoux is like a physical wall of noise.
In the final 200 meters, it looked like Healy had it. The Irishman is a powerhouse. But Paret-Peintre found this tiny, final surge of energy on the steepest ramp right before the line. He punched past with 20 meters to go.
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He’s the first Frenchman to win on Mont Ventoux since Richard Virenque in 2002. That’s a huge deal. It’s not just a stage win; it’s a career-defining moment on one of the most feared mountains in cycling.
The GC Battle: Pogačar vs. Vingegaard
While the break was fighting for glory, the "Big Two" were having their own private war.
Jonas Vingegaard didn't come to play it safe. He attacked Tadej Pogačar four separate times on the upper reaches of the climb. Every time the Dane accelerated, the world held its breath.
Pogačar has been dealing with a cold, so there were questions. Was he vulnerable?
Nope.
The yellow jersey stayed glued to Vingegaard’s wheel. He didn't even look like he was breathing hard, which has to be soul-crushing for Jonas. In the final sprint for 5th place, Pogačar actually gapped Vingegaard by two seconds.
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It’s only two seconds. But mentally? It feels like a ton.
The Aftermath and Standings
- Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) - 4h 03' 19"
- Ben Healy (EF Education - EasyPost) - Same time
- Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) - +4"
- Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step) - +14"
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) - +43"
Vingegaard finished right behind Pogačar, and while he tried everything, the gap in the General Classification actually grew slightly. Pogačar now leads by 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
One weird moment: Vingegaard got knocked off his bike by a motorbike after the finish line. Luckily, he was unhurt and actually went over to congratulate Pogačar. Pure class, even after a brutal day.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re following the race, keep an eye on Florian Lipowitz. The German kid is still sitting in 3rd overall. Everyone expected him to crack on the Ventoux, but he stayed solid and even put 30 seconds into Oscar Onley.
Also, watch the weather for Stage 17. We’re heading back into the Alps, and if the wind stays this high, we could see some real chaos in the crosswinds before the climbs even start.
Check the replay of the final 2km if you can. The way Paret-Peintre used the fans' energy to get over that last hairpin is exactly why we watch this sport. It’s all about the suffering.