Mount Purgatoire

Annually numerous cycling tourists attempt to climb the Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux. Defying these huge mountains on bicycle is a physical challenge that many people - mostly men - want to take up at least once in their lives. Ordinary mortals measure their strength with that of their cycling heroes. In 2008 photographer Adriaan van der Ploeg became fascinated by this phenomenon. During two summers he positioned himself in the bends of both cols with his long focus lens at hand. 'Mont Purgatoire' is a series of close-ups showing regular individuals in combat with  themselves.