Slowest Ospedale ascent since 2010

Col de l'Ospedale
2016:14,2 km@6,2%---34:30---average speed 24.70 km/h(Thibaut Pinot)
2015:14,2 km@6,2%---33:56---average speed 25.11 km/h(Jean-Christophe Peraud)
2014:14,2 km@6,2%---33:45---average speed 25.24 km/h(Frank-Peraud)
2013:14,2 km@6,2%---33:36---average speed 25.36 km/h(Chris Froome)
2012:14,2 km@6,2%---33:21---average speed 25.55 km/h(Fedrigo-Nocentini-Nordhaug-Evans)-RECORD
2011:14,2 km@6,2%---34:04---average speed 25.01 km/h(Frank Schleck)
2010:14,2 km@6,2%---36:38---average speed 23.26 km/h(Pierrick Fedrigo)

Quintana improves his time on Port Aine

Port Aine
2016:18,4 km@6,6%---48:37---average speed 22.71 km/h(Nairo Quintana)
                              ---53:43---average speed 20.55 km/h(Thomas De Gendt)
2013:18,4 km@6,6%---49:29---average speed 22.31 km/h(Dan Martin)
                              ---49:29---average speed 22.31 km/h(Rodriguez-Quintana)

The good weather brings back a fast Poggio

Cipressa
2016:5,7 km@4,1%---10:00---average speed 34.20 km/h(Arnaud Demare)
2015:5,7 km@4,1%---10:14---average speed 33.42 km/h(80 riders peloton)
2014:5,7 km@4,1%---10:30---average speed 32.57 km/h(Vincenzo Nibali)
2013:5,7 km@4,1%---10:49---average speed 31.62 km/h(Pozzato-Gilbert-30 riders group)
2012:5,7 km@4,1%---10:20---average speed 33.10 km/h(Hoogerland-Vila)
2011:5,7 km@4,1%---9:47---average speed 34.96 km/h(Michele Scarponi)
2010:5,7 km@4,1%---10:05---average speed 33.92 km/h(Peloton)
2009:5,7 km@4,1%---9:45---average speed 35.08 km/h(Basso-Nibali-Rebellin-30 riders group)
2008:5,7 km@4,1%---10:08---average speed 33.75 km/h(Bettini-Rebellin-Lovkvist-Axelsson)
2007:5,7 km@4,1%---9:56---average speed 34.43 km/h(Pellizotti-Moletta-Popovych)
2006:5,7 km@4,1%---9:55---average speed 34.49 km/h(60+ riders peloton)
2005:5,7 km@4,1%---9:57---average speed 34.37 km/h( 100+ riders led peloton)
2004:5,7 km@4,1%---10:01---average speed 34.14 km/h(100+riders peloton)
2003:5,7 km@4,1%---9:55---average speed 34.49 km/h(Bettini-Rebellin-Vinokourov-Freire)
2002:5,7 km@4,1%---10:24---average speed 32.88 km/h(Kivilev-I.Gutierrez)
2001:5,7 km@4,1%---9:35---average speed 35.69 km/h(Francesco Casagrande)
2000:5,7 km@4,1%---9:50---average speed 34.78 km/h(Bartoli-Dominguez) (source:Davide Cassani)
1999:5,7 km@4,1%---9:28---average speed 36.13 km/h(Marco Pantani)
1998:5,7 km@4,1%---9:38---average speed 35.50 km/h(Hamburger-Elli-80+ riders peloton)
1997:5,7 km@4,1%---9:42---average speed 35.26 km/h(Stefano Della Santa)
1996:5,7 km@4,1%---9:19---average speed 36.71 km/h(Colombo-Gontchenkov)-RECORD
1994:5,7 km@4,1%---10:10---average speed 33.64 km/h(Berzin-Chiappucci-Musseuw-Alcala-Cassani-Spruch-Zanini)
1993:5,7 km@4,1%---10:04---average speed 33.97 km/h(Bontempi-Fondriest-Armstrong-120 riders peloton)
1992:5,7 km@4,1%---10:05---average speed 33.92 km/h(Raul Alcala)
1989:5,7 km@4,1%---10:30---average speed 32.57 km/h(40+ riders peloton)
1988:5,7 km@4,1%---10:25---average speed 32.83 km/h(80 riders peloton)
1987:5,7 km@4,1%---11:22---average speed 30.09 km/h(Erich Maechler)
1984:5,7 km@4,1%---10:57---average speed 31.23 km/h(60 riders peloton)

Poggio
2016:3,7 km@3,9%---6:10---average speed 36.00 km/h(Michal Kwiatkowski)
2015:3,7 km@3,9%---6:26---average speed 34.51 km/h(Van Avermaet-30 riders peloton)
2014:3,7 km@3,9%---6:50---average speed 32.49 km/h(30 riders peloton)
2013:3,7 km@3,9%---6:48---average speed 32.65 km/h(Cancellara-Sagan-Ciolek-Paolini-Pozzato)
2012:3,7 km@3,9%---6:33---average speed 33.89 km/h(Cancellara-Gerrans-Nibali)
2011:3,7 km@3,9%---6:25---average speed 34.60 km/h(Nibali-Cancellara)
2010:3,7 km@3,9%---6:14---average speed 35.61 km/h(Pozzato-Gilbert)
2009:3,7 km@3,9%---6:04---average speed 36.59 km/h(Filippo Pozzato)
2008:3,7 km@3,9%---6:07---average speed 36.29 km/h(Philippe Gilbert)
2007:3,7 km@3,9%---6:13---average speed 35.71 km/h(Gilbert-Ricco)
2006:3,7 km@3,9%---6:11---average speed 35.90 km/h(Ballan-Pozzato)
2005:3,7 km@3,9%---6:04---average speed 36.59 km/h(Pellizotti-Rebellin-Kirchen-Celestino-Merckx)
2004:3,7 km@3,9%---6:27---average speed 34.42 km/h(Bettini-Vicioso-S.Sanchez-Celestino-100+ riders peloton)
2003:3,7 km@3,9%---6:17---average speed 35.33 km/h(Paolini-Celestino-Bettini-Di Luca)
2002:3,7 km@3,9%---6:15---average speed 35.52 km/h(Paolo Bettini)
2001:3,7 km@3,9%---6:02---average speed 36.80 km/h(Rebellin-Bartoli-Colombo-Van Petegem-Petito)
2000:3,7 km@3,9%---5:56---average speed 37.42 km/h(Rebellin-Van Petegem-Tchmil)
1999:3,7 km@3,9%---6:04---average speed 36.59 km/h(Gabriele Colombo)
1998:3,7 km@3,9%---5:51---average speed 37.95 km/h(Alberto Elli)
1997:3,7 km@3,9%---6:03---average speed 36.69 km/h(Bartoli-Museeuw-Ferigato)
1996:3,7 km@3,9%---6:27---average speed 34.42 km/h(Colombo-Gontchenkov-Coppolillo-Sciandri)
                                ---6:10---average speed 36.00 km/h(Favourites group)
1995:3,7 km@3,9%---5:46---average speed 38.50 km/h(Fondriest-Jalabert)-RECORD
1994:3,7 km@3,9%---6:01---average speed 36.90 km/h(Giorgio Furlan)
1993:3,7 km@3,9%---6:07---average speed 36.29 km/h(Maurizio Fondriest)
1992:3,7 km@3,9%---6:07---average speed 36.29 km/h(Moreno Argentin)
1991:3,7 km@3,9%---6:57---average speed 31.94 km/h(Claudio Chiappucci)
1990:3,7 km@3,9%---7:02---average speed 31.56 km/h(Gianni Bugno)
1989:3,7 km@3,9%---6:48---average speed 32.65 km/h(Laurent Fignon)
1988:3,7 km@3,9%---6:24---average speed 34.69 km/h(Fignon-Fondriest)
1987:3,7 km@3,9%---6:48---average speed 32.65 km/h(Erich Maechler)
                                ---6:31---average speed 34.07 km/h(Kelly-Vanderaerden-30 riders group)
1984:3,7 km@3,9%---6:58---average speed 31.87 km/h(Roche-Madiot)
1982:3,7 km@3,9%---8:06---average speed 27.41 km/h(Gomez-Bondue)
1979:3,7 km@3,9%---7:08---average speed 31.12 km/h(Raas-Vandenbroucke-Willems)

Contador and Porte go hard on Col d'Eze

Cote de Peille

2016:6,6 km@7,0%---16:00---average speed 24.75 km/h(Alberto Contador)-Source:Strava

                             ---17:00---average speed 23.29 km/h(30 riders peloton)-Source:Strava

Col d'Eze
2016:9,6 km@4,7%---19:32---average speed  29.49 km/h(Contador-Porte) *
2015:9,6 km@4,7%---20:18---average speed 28.37 km/h(Richie Porte)
2013:9,6 km@4,7%---19:16---average speed 29.90 km/h(Richie Porte)
2012:9,6 km@4,7%---19:12---average speed 30.00 km/h(Bradley Wiggins)
2007:9,6 km@4,7%---19:15---average speed 29.92 km/h(Alberto Contador)  *                    
2005:9,6 km@4,7%---19:58---average speed 28.85 km/h(Jaksche-Pellizotti-16 riders group) *
2001:9,6 km@4,7%---19:15---average speed 29.92 km/h(Dario Frigo)
2000:9,6 km@4,7%---19:28---average speed 29.59 km/h(Andreas Kloden)
1989:9,6 km@4,7%---19:47---average speed 29.12 km/h(Stephen Roche)
1988:9,6 km@4,7%---20:06---average speed 28.66 km/h(Sean Kelly)
1987:9,6 km@4,7%---19:42---average speed 29.24 km/h(Stephen Roche)
1986:9,6 km@4,7%---19:40---average speed 29.29 km/h(Sean Kelly)
1985:9,6 km@4,7%---20:47---average speed 27.71 km/h(Stephen Roche)
1984:9,6 km@4,7%---20:36---average speed 27.96 km/h(Sean Kelly)
1983:9,6 km@4,7%---20:15---average speed 28.44 km/h(Sean Kelly)
1982:9,6 km@4,7%---20:45---average speed 27.76 km/h(Sean Kelly)
1981:9,6 km@4,7%---21:04---average speed 27.34 km/h(Stephen Roche)
1980:9,6 km@4,7%---20:23---average speed 28.26 km/h(Gerrie Knetemann)
1979:9,6 km@4,7%---21:17---average speed 27.06 km/h(Joop Zoetemelk)
1978:9,6 km@4,7%---20:09---average speed 28.59 km/h(Gerrie Knetemann)
1976:9,6 km@4,7%---20:46---average speed 27.74 km/h(Michel Laurent)
1975:9,6 km@4,7%---20:54---average speed 27.56 km/h(Joop Zoetemelk)
1974:9,6 km@4,7%---20:34---average speed 28.01 km/h(Joop Zoetemelk)
1973:9,6 km@4,7%---20:41---average speed 27.85 km/h(Joop Zoetemelk)
1972:9,6 km@4,7%---19:59---average speed 28.82 km/h(Raymond Poulidor)
1971:9,6 km@4,7%---20:39---average speed 27.89 km/h(Eddy Merckx)
1970:9,6 km@4,7%---20:09---average speed 28.59 km/h(Eddy Merckx)
1969:9,6 km@4,7%---20:35---average speed 27.98 km/h(Eddy Merckx)

*  Col d'Eze was ridden during a road stage and not during an individual time trial.

Penas Blancas: Valverde, already at his maximum

Alto de Penas Blancas
2016:14,6 km@6,5%---35:46---average speed 24.49 km/h(Alejandro Valverde)
2013:14,6 km@6,5%---35:34---average speed 24.63 km/h(Leopold Konig)

Wout Poels dominates on Xorret de Cati

Xorret de Cati
2016:3,8 km@11,8%---13:36---average speed 16.76 km/h(Wouter Poels)
                              ---14:03---average speed 16.23 km/h(Navarro-I.Izaguirre-Aru-Intxausti)
2010:3,8 km@11,8%---13:56---average speed 16.36 km/h(Nibali-Anton-Rodriguez-Tondo-Sastre)
2009:3,8 km@11,8%---13:27---average speed 16.95 km/h(Valverde-Evans-Basso)
2004:3,8 km@11,8%---13:15---average speed 17.21 km/h(Jorge Ferrio)
                              ---13:25---average speed 16.99 km/h(Valverde-Heras-Piepoli)
2000:3,8 km@11,8%---12:42---average speed 17.95 km/h(Eladio Jimenez)-RECORD
                               ---12:52---average speed 17.72 km/h(Heras-Zulle-Gotti)
1998:3,8 km@11,8%---12:58---average speed 17.58 km/h(Jose Maria Jimenez)
                              ---13:23---average speed 17.04 km/h(Roberto Heras)
                              ---13:45---average speed 16.58 km/h(Jalabert-Olano-Armstrong group)

Willunga Hill: Porte, devastatingly fast!

Old Willunga Hill
2016:3,6 km@7,1%---7:48---average speed 27.69 km/h(Richie Porte)
2015:3,6 km@7,1%---7:48---average speed 27.69 km/h(Richie Porte)
2014:3,6 km@7,1%---8:18---average speed 26.02 km/h(Richie Porte)
2013:3,6 km@7,1%---8:01---average speed 26.94 km/h(Gerrans-Slagter)
2012:3,6 km@7,1%---8:47---average speed 24.59 km/h(Valverde-Gerrans)
2011:3,6 km@7,1%---8:44---average speed 24.73 km/h(Ben Hermans)
2010:3,6 km@7,1%---8:25---average speed 25.66 km/h(Valverde-L.L.Sanchez-Evans-Sagan)

The 2015 "Subiendo como una moto' Awards

© Yuzuru Sunada

            The second edition of the "Subiendo como una moto" Awards is here.  The 10 most impressive climbing performances of the 2015 season are:

10th. Rafal Valls on Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain), stage 4 of Tour of Oman
9th. Aru, Contador & Porte up the Abetone, stage 5 of Giro d'Italia
8th. Christopher Froome on Col du Soudet (Pierre-Saint-Martin), stage 10 of Tour de France
7th. Christopher Froome on Le Bettex, stage 7 of Criterium Dauphine
6th. Diego Rosa on Superga, Milano-Torino
5th.Victor de la Parte on Kitzbuheler Horn, stage 6 of Tour of Austria
4th. Vincenzo Nibali's raid towards La Toussuire, stage 19 of Tour de France
3rd. Richie Porte on Willunga Hill, stage 5 of Tour Down Under
2nd. Rodriguez and Aru on Ermita de Alba, stage 16 of Vuelta a Espana
1st. Nairo Quintana on Alpe d'Huez, stage 20 of Tour de France

         The overall climbing level of the whole 2015 season is without a doubt, one of the highest witnessed since 2006. From January (Willunga Hill) to October (Superga), the uphill speeds were constantly reaching amazing values. During this period of time, no less than 10 (!) new record ascents were set. A rich harvest, for sure.
         The most striking (and fascinating) event of the season was the huge rise in performance seen in the smaller races, especially those outside of World Tour. If overall, there wasn't a return to the pre-2007 climbing speeds, that's not the case for these races. There was a major boost in performance, no matter the country of the race, or even the continent. While in last year's "Subiendo como una moto' Awards, there was only a single performance realized in a smaller race (Tom Danielson in Tour of Utah), this year there are four!  It shall be very interesting to see if this frightening, upward trend will continue next year or not.
         The other six performances of the Top 10 were realized, as it was expected, in the world's biggest races by the world's best climbers. The first Grand Tour of the year, Il Giro d'Italia delivered just one award-winning performance but that doesn't tell the whole story. It probably was one of the hardest ridden Grand Tours of the modern era. And different things affected badly the performances of all the three best climbers in the race: illness for Aru, saving energy-mode for Contador and defensive team tactics for Landa. The Basque was not only the climbing revelation of the Giro, but of the whole season.
        La Vuelta a Espana was as always, a very open race, full of surprises. With the exception of Ermita de Alba stage, the reached climbing speeds were at the same level seen after 2006. Esteban Chaves and Tom Dumoulin emerged as fresh Grand Tour contenders while Purito Rodriguez, Majka, Quintana and Aru proved their climbing class once again. The race was won not necessarily by the strongest rider but by the strongest team. Astana from the 2015 Giro and Vuelta was in my opinion, one the most dominating and powerful teams in the mountains of the last 20 years.
       Nonetheless, it was the cycling's biggest race, the Tour de France, which delivered no less than three of the ten greatest climbing performances of the season. As in 2013, Froome dominated the first block of mountains, out-classing all his rivals but just like two years ago, he got slower in the mountains of the last week. Still fast enough to win his second Tour, though. His biggest rival, Nairo Quintana on the other hand, showed again his extraordinary recovery skills, getting better as the race progressed. The definitive proof came on stage 20, when Nairo set the fastest Alpe d'Huez ascent since 2006 and the 23rd of all-time. On the route, he also crushed the Croix de Fer record with a blistering time. While it was hard to rank them, I consider this to be the most impressive climbing performance of 2015. Enhorabuena, Nairo!

A fast Chavito on Jebel Hafeet's debut

© AbuDhabiTour.com

Jebel Hafeet
2015:10,9 km@6,8%---27:02---average speed 24.19 km/h(Esteban Chaves)

Astana puts Lombardia through the sword

Muro di  Sormano
2015:1,9 km@15,8%---9:08---average speed 12.48 km/h(Rosa-Nibali-D. Moreno-Chaves-Pinot-Landa-Valverde)
2013:1,9 km@15,8%---9:32---average speed 11.96 km/h(Dario Cataldo)
2012:1,9 km@15,8%---9:20---average speed 12.21 km/h(Henao-Rodriguez)
1962:1,9 km@15,8%---9:24---average speed 12.13 km/h(Ercole Baldini) (source: http://www.sportivamentemag.it/archives/5035)
1961:1,9 km@15,8%---11:20---average speed 10.06 km/h(Arnaldo Pambianco) (source: http://www.sportivamentemag.it/archives/5035)
1960:1,9 km@15,8%---10:09---average speed 11.23 km/h(Imerio Massignan) (source: http://www.sportivamentemag.it/archives/5035)

Civiglio
2015:4,1 km@9,8%---13:13---average speed 18.61 km/h(Rosa-Pinot-D.Moreno-Valverde-Nibali-Chaves-Nieve)