Climbing to 2,000 metres – well 1,995 to be exact – the beautiful Col de la Madeleine is an Alpine Tour de France favourite and features on many a bucket list.

Climbing the north side, from Feissons-sur-Isere, presents you with a 26.3km ascent which rises 1,585m.

Last featured in the Tour de France in 2013, its 24th appearance in the race’s history, the climb was also a part of Mike Cotty’s “Les Alpes” challenge in the same year and he has returned for the latest instalment from the Col Collective.

“Despite its relentless length I absolutely love the Madeleine,” he says. “Its true beauty is that it makes you feel as though you’re really going on a journey, from forest green, past cascading waterfalls, over stone bridges and beyond.

“I always have the sense that the Madeleine guards the entrance to the high Alps, as if it’s the gatekeeper to the greats. Make it over its summit and the whole world opens up to reveal a playground of peaks including the Glandon, Croix de Fer and Galibier.

“What a legend, as a cyclist you really can’t ask for more.”

Vital statistics

Start: Feissons sur Isère
Length: 26.3km
Summit: 1,995m
Elevation gain: 1,585m
Average gradient: 6.2%
Max gradient: 11.5%