Mighty Ventoux set for Tour's final battle

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  Richard Virenque arrived first at the summit of Mont Ventoux in the 2002 Tour de France, the last time the climb was included in the Tour.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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  Tom Simpson memorial, near the top of Mont Ventoux.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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  Raymond Poulidor at the 2009 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © Hedwig Kröner

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  Tom Simpson, riding for the Great Britain team in the 1967 Tour de France, on the morning of the fateful stage over Mont Ventoux.

  Photo credit © AFP

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  Charly's day - Gaul en route to winning the 18th stage of the 1958 Tour de France, an uphill individual time trial from Bedouin to the top of Mont Ventoux.

  Photo credit © AFP Photo

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  Jean-François Bernard powers his way up Mont Ventoux in the 1987 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © AFP

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  Eros Poli fights his way up Mont Ventoux in the 1994 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © AFP

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  Italy's Eros Poli descends Mont Ventoux, heading for a stage win in the 1994 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © AFP

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  Jean-François Bernard dons the yellow jersey earned by winning the Mont Ventoux time trial in the 1987 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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  Eddy Merckx, wearing the yellow jersey, wins on Mont Ventoux in the 1970 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © AFP

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  While Raymond Poulidor (L) finished second overall to Felice Gimondi in the 1965 Tour de France, the Frenchman was able to win atop Mont Ventoux.

  Photo credit © AFP

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  Race leader Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani approach the Mont Ventoux summit finish in the 2000 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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  Marco Pantani wins at the summit of Mont Ventoux in the 2000 Tour de France.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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  The barren landscape at Mont Ventoux's summit.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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  Jean-François Bernard time trials to the summit of Mont Ventoux in the 1987 Tour.

  Photo credit © Sirotti

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