Читать книгу Tour Climbs: The complete guide to every mountain stage on the Tour de France - Chris Sidwells - Страница 42

Length: 26.3 km

Altitude: 1725 metres

Height gain: 110 metres

Average gradient: 4.2%

Maximum gradient: 7%

Another climb that is totally on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, the Collado del Canto has had two appearances in the Tour, the first being in 1974 when a Spanish rider called Domingo Perurena was the first to conquer it.

The climb links the Spanish town of Seo de Urgel, which is just south of Andorra, with the Aneu valley, which is also in Spain. In turn, the Aneu leads to the Val d’Aran over the Port de la Bonaigua climb. The Collado de Canto has been used in stages that started in Seo de Urgel or Andorra and head to the Val d’Aran to cross into France and finish at Pla d’Adet, so on both occasions the riders attacked the Collado del Canto from the Seo de Urgel side.

The climb starts from Ardal. There are no steep gradients, very little traffic and the road winds its lonely way westwards in a series of well-constructed bends. The whole climb makes a very nice bike ride, and there are a couple of interesting little off-shoots to explore if you like.

The descent is shorter than the climb, and the last part is quite technical with some steeper gradients and a couple of tight hairpin bends. The descent ends in Sort and from there it is 36 kilometres to the start of the Port de la Bonaigua. That’s a really nice ride too.

WHICH WAY? Go south on the N260 out of Seo de Urgel and turn right onto the N260 for the climb.