Racing

Sixteen of the toughest climbs in professional cycling

Ascents which strike fear into the even most seasoned pros

Alpe d’Huez (Tour de France)

The Angliru is widely touted as the toughest climb in pro cycling - but what else made our list? (pic: Sirotti)
The peloton tackles the Wall of Sormano (pic: Sirotti)
Colombians, Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran do battle on the Zoncolan pic: ©Sirotti
Christopher Horner rides alone after dropping Vuelta a Espana GC rival Vincenzo Nibali on the Angliru (pic: Sirotti)
Peter Cossins' looks at 'cycling's greatest climb' in Alpe d'Huez (pic: Media-24)
Froome rounds the final corner of the Mont Ventoux on his way to his 2013 stage win (pic: Sirotti)
The iconic Passo dello Stelvio is likely to feature on the 'must ride' list of any cyclist. pic: ©Media24
The Koppenberg is known to have forced many a cyclist to get off and push (pic: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde celebrates his La Fleche Wallonne triumph atop the Mur de Huy in 2015 (pic: Sirotti)
The snow-laden slopes of the Gavia featured at the Giro last year (pic: Sirotti)
The Passo Giau is set in a landscape that can accurately be described as stunning. pic: ©Sirotti
Joaquim Rodriguez resplendent in the maglia rosa at the 2012 Giro d'Italia, tackles the Mortirolo
The Col du Tourmalet was part of the 2014 Etape du Tour (pic: muneaki / Creative Commons)
Joaquim Rodriguez celebrates his win on the Ancares in 2012 (pic: Sirotti)
Nairo Quintana and Pierre Rolland tackle the Montecampione at last year's Giro d'Italia (pic: Sirotti)
The stunning backdrop masks the fierceness of the climb to the Lakes of Covadonga (pic: Sirotti)
The Hautacam has become a popular modern addition to the Tour de France pic: ©Media24

Alpe d’Huez (Tour de France)

Ask somebody to name a famous Tour de France climb and many will cite the 21 hairpins of the Alpe d’Huez.

The iconic climb returned to the route this year, after a year’s hiatus, with its last appearance being a double ascent in 2013.

Fausto Coppi was the first man to conquer the ascent at the Tour and it has remained a popular fixture ever since – 13.8km in length, at an average gradient of 8.1 per cent.

Its brutality was proven in 2013 when race leader Chris Froome bonked on the ascent, before team-mate Richie Porte got hold of a gel for him.

At its maximum the gradient is ‘only’ 13 per cent, but the 21 hairpins mean the constant switchbacks demand every last sinew of energy. The climb also invariably comes at the end of a brutal mountain stage.

Key facts

Length: 13.8km
Average gradient: 8.1%
Maximum gradient: 13%