Categories: FolkloreNostalgiaRacing

Velominati Challenge: Name that Climb

As cyclists, our legs bristle with anticipation at the sight of a hairpin turn. Stitch a series of them together in close succession, and we lose the ability to speak in complete sentences. Show us a road that resembles a goat path, and we start to wonder aloud in fragmented sentences what it might be like to send a bunch of racers up it. Combine those things, add a dirt road surface, and we’re sporting serious Climbone.

A few weeks ago, our friend Roadslave queried us as to what climb was featured in some douchenozzle’s photograph at an art show. Not surprisingly, we were collectively able to nail it down in fairly short order, despite the considerable disadvantage of the photog himself having mislabeled where and when the photo was taken.

Attention to detail is what we do as Velominati, and many of us have gazed upon most of the famous climbs in Europe – if not with our own sweat-drowned eyes, then at least through the lenses of photographers who have (and were hopefully more successful than Roadslave’s pal at naming the time and location of the climbs).

I came across this photograph today and was instantly drawn to it for obvious reasons that don’t need to be restated from above. But it also gave me an uneasy feeling: I wasn’t sure what climb it was. A few minutes later, by chance, I came across a more modern and labeled version of the same climb and thought I’d test the collective knowledge of the community with a little challenge, which I have every confidence will be met in short order.

Please identify:

What climb is it? Name, location.
Is this climb currently paved or unpaved?
When did it last feature in a top-level Professional sporting event?
What was the climb, if any, immediately previous?
What was the climb, if any, immediately after?
Will it feature in the 2011 professional calendar?
Which rider used these slopes to reveal himself as being a contender in an event no one had considered him for prior?
What jersey was he wearing at the time?
Who was his eye wear sponsor at the time?
What bike was he riding? Brand, model.

Good luck!

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Cyclops says:

Oct 25 2010 at 10:38 am

1. Finestre, Piedmont, Italy
2. Unpaved
3. 2005
4.
5.
6. Giro
7. Savodelli
8. Pink
9. Oakley
10. Trek Madone 5.9
Nate says:

Oct 25 2010 at 10:39 am

1. Colle delle Finistere, Susa, Italy
2. Top half unpaved
3. 2005 Giro
4-5. I think they climbed to Sestriere before and after.
6. Yes, in the Giro, Merckx bless it.
7. DiLuca
8. Liquigas
9. Briko?
10. Bianchi, damned if I know what model.
Dan Large says:

Oct 25 2010 at 11:51 am

Colle delle Finistere, Piemonte, Italy
First ten kilometers asphalt last 8 strada bianca
Stage 19 Giro D'Italia
Sestrieres
Sestrieres
Stage 20 2011 Giro D'Italia
Danilo Di Luca
Liquigas
Briko
Bianchi FG lite (Evo 4)

There was an epic photo of The Killer ascending the Finistere in the 2006 Bianchi catalog.
Mr Haven says:

Oct 25 2010 at 1:07 pm

That is a gorgeous photo. Captures the stark beauty of the area and the brutality of the climb. Love it, want to ride it!
frank says:

Oct 25 2010 at 5:25 pm

Impressive. You guys are pretty close, but @Dan Large still misses out on a perfect score since the Killer was riding for Leekygas but not wearing the team jersey.

@Cyclops
Salvodelli had already podiumed and won the Giro, so you missed on the second half of your calls - but good on naming the Finestre.

@Nate
So close, but what's with the question mark on the Brikos?

That was one of my favorite Giros and a great example of why the Giro is the Velominatus' Grand Tour. Dirt roads, Loads of Rule 5, rule 10' and almost too much Rule 9*.

Can nit wait for the 2011 Giro. The topography of that country just lends itself so well to an exciting GT. Nibbles is going to be fun to watch progress. Basso, of course. Porte could be back. Cadelephant should prove he can win a GT and that he can still ride hard without the bands. And then figure in the known dopers who want to do well, not to mention the unknown dopers, and you've got yourself a bike race.

So, we still have one question unanswered.

*Used for dramatic effect. Obviously we all now there is no such thing as too much Rule 9.
Brent says:

Oct 25 2010 at 6:07 pm

I believe the last piece of the puzzle is....

Jose Rujano riding for Selle Italia
Nate says:

Oct 25 2010 at 7:06 pm

@frank
Balancing the need to get work done with the desire to submit a well-researched answer.

Since the jersey issue seems open still, are you thinking he was wearing the points jersey? I am at a loss on that one. Because that's not correct.
CJ says:

Oct 25 2010 at 7:31 pm

@frank
Is it the young 'uns jersey?
Total spoiler, but since I've pissed away an afternoon of study watching this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oTHLSW1IIc
Love the bit at approx 3.00 when it zooms to the spectators at the top of the climb.
Brutal.
CJ says:

Oct 25 2010 at 7:38 pm

@CJ
Nup, too old.
Pro-Tour Leader? WTF?
Collin says:

Oct 25 2010 at 7:52 pm

I had no idea, but I had a Climbone a bird could perch on. Christ I need to get over there to ride up mountains. That photo looks like a much more glorious route than this little gem in SoCal:

You can do a continuous climb here from 240m to 2400m with 27km of the climb paved and closed to cars. A bastard of a climb though. I got heat exhaustion trying to ride up it after the Ventoux stage of the Tour in '09. It was 110 degrees, and I made it about halfway before running out of water and having an "Oh fuck" moment. I destroyed my knee riding up it with three feet of snow lining the road in January. Just myself and snow plows up there. Twas a glorious day that one.