Alto de l’Angliru (Vuelta a Espana)
-
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
Alto de l’Angliru (Vuelta a Espana)
Vuelta a Espana organisers wanted a climb to rival Alpe d’Huez and in the Alto de l’Angliru they certainly found one.
Topping many riders’ lists as the toughest Grand Tour climb of them all, the narrow road and brutal gradient have seen it billed as ‘barbaric’ and ‘inhumane’ by some. Even the world’s best climbers have to take it in slow motion, such is its difficulty.
That hasn’t stopped organisers including it six times since first announcing its 1999 debut with Alberto Contador a winner up it and Chris Horner sealing his 2013 title with a gutsy display (and the second fastest ascent ever) on the climb.
The average gradient of 10.1 per cent is tough but belies the many steep pitches on the climb, which was so tough in wet conditions in 2002 that Britain’s David Millar abandoned the race in protest. At its steepest, the gradient touches 24 per cent and there are many similar ramps approaching the one-in-five mark.
Key facts
Length: 12.5km
Average gradient: 10.1%
Maximum gradient: 24%