Killer climbs

The major Tours compete with each other when it comes to the severity of their mountaintop finishes. Here are the pain contenders

GIRO D’ITALIA MONTE ZONCOLAN Length: 10.1km. Ascent: 1,210m. Average gradient: 11.9%

This can be approached from three directions, all of which are savage. The one from Ovaro is arguably the toughest, and was featured in the Giro for the first time in 2007. After a manageable 2km it hits a debilitating average of 15% for five agonising kilometres, with a maximum of 22%. For our reaction to riding this climb see Cyclist issue 22.

TOUR DE FRANCE MONT VENTOUX Length: 21.8km. Ascent: 1,617m. Average gradient: 7.4%

Ventoux can’t compete in terms of sheer gradient, but it makes ruthless amends with its duration. After an easy(ish) first 6km, the climb locks riders into a gruelling, soul-searching battle for 16km at an average of 8.9%. Add in the wind that gives the climb its name and few would argue against its inclusion on this list.

VUELTA A ESPANA ALTO DE L’ANGRILU Length: 12.5km. Ascent: 1,266m. Average gradient: 10.1%

Unlike Zoncolan, there’s only one way to climb Alto de l’angliru (otherwise called La Gamonal), which is probably just as well. The first half is gentle in relative terms, but from then on it’s brutally steep right to the summit, with severe and prolonged ramps up to 23.5% making the 15% intermissions feel like recovery periods.