Our first visit to Andorra so we thought we’d call on a little pro knowledge to help us out, this time we’re honoured to be joined by Dan Martin from Cannondale-Garmin as we tackle the 2,229 metre high hors catégorie ascent of Arcalís. With stage victories in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, plus one day classics Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Giro di Lombardia in his palmarès, if there’s one thing Dan knows a trick or two about it’s going uphill….FAST!
Starting in Ordino the climb up to the Arcalís ski station is 18.3km in length with an average of 5.2%. By Andorran standards this could be classed as “easy” but don’t be fooled. As the road pitches up to double figures at El Serrat this is the exact point that a 22 year old Jan Ullrich obliterated the 1997 Tour de France, not only winning the stage but riding himself into the yellow jersey by the summit. Since then the climb has witnessed many a fine racing moment including Contador putting in a late attack to try and get one over Armstrong in the 2010 Tour (despite being on the same team) while Sir Bradley Wiggins named Arcalís amongst his favourite climbs in his book “On Tour”. Grand Tour drama and rated by the pro’s, surely that’s good enough reason to check out the dizzy heights of Andorra for yourself?
Special thanks to Dan for generously taking time out to join us, and for being such an all round top bloke. Make sure you give him an extra loud cheer when you next see him unleashing big watts on the peloton (and thanks for not using them to make us whimper like a lost puppy this time!)
Start: Ordino
Length: 18.3km
Summit: 2,229m
Elevation gain: 947m
Average gradient: 5.2%
Max gradient: 12%
Ridden in October
Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, Torq Fitness and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you’re in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning 🙂
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Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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21 Comments
great video Mike and Dan .makes me want to go get me cannondale out!!!!
Thanks Mike, having ridden in Italy, France, Spain, Sardinia and Greece, I am really missing the European roads. Great stuff there!
Always Awesome and very enjoyable!!!
Just love it !! Sounds like an item for the bucket list !
Gotta love dem recovery climbs…
that handshake at the end lingered a bit too long…..?? Awesome climb, you must hate your job??
Great, great landscapes ! Mike, you are the one, the special one ! Fantastic vídeos
This was an interesting video, I naturally stand, sit, stand when I am riding hills. I couldn't really hear him, but I think he said you lose time when you come off the saddle is that correct? These videos are such a joy, I can't wait to get home and watch them in the evening after work. thank you so much!
amazing your so great
recommended gearing 34×25. If you're a pro, but not if you're just an avg rider. more like 34 x 28 🙂
Europeans mountains are much better and scenic than our US mountains, view is spectacular
awesome video, quick question, why was there a sign "Le Tour de France" 1997 – 2009 will it not be in future tours anymore or why to 2009?
Thanks for answer 🙂
Dan got no sweat even near the top
Hey Mike! Great Video. What are the names of the songs, please?
Hey Mike!! Come to Brazil, we also have some nice spots to ride over here!!
Did this one 4 weeks ago…..great climb and scenery worth the effort
great video guys, Dan Martin is one bad ass, he will attack from anywhere.
Magnífico vídeo. Impresionantes paisajes. Muchas gracias.
Mike,you should go to coll de la Gallina in Andorra, absolutly amazing.
Recommended gearing 34×25? lol.
COLL DE LA GALLINA ,LA RABASSA AND CORTALS D EMCAMP ARE THE 3 HARDEST CLIMBS IN ANDORRA