Читать книгу Tour Climbs: The complete guide to every mountain stage on the Tour de France - Chris Sidwells - Страница 49

Length: 6 km

Altitude: 1870 metres

Height gain: 544 metres

Average gradient: 9%

Maximum gradient: 11%

Another short but tough climb to one of the ski resorts of the Vallnord in Andorra, Pal has only had one Tour de France visit when Olivier Rincon of Colombia won a stage there in 1993. What makes this climb extra interesting though is the road after the ski resort that goes up to 2300 metres via the Col de la Botella.

The climb starts in La Massana, which is already at 1326 metres and on the route that runs from Escaldes to Ordino. At first the road is straight as it climbs through quite an extensive built up area in the Arinsal valley, but at Erts the road bends to the left and the buildings fall away leaving you on your own to tackle the stretches of 11 percent up to Pal.

This is where the Tour stage ended, but the road continues upwards in a wide left and right sweep to the Col de la Botella. There is a short stretch of twelve percent just before the top of this climb. Next comes a short descent from the top of the pass then a really lonely bit up to 2300 metres, where the road abruptly changes into a track. This is the border between Andorra and Spain. This is mountain bike terrain; the track continues over the border and ends in a tiny hamlet called Tor, from which it is possible to descend a rough road into the Vall Ferrera.

WHICH WAY? La Massana is six kilometres north of Escaldes on the CG4. Continue on that road and turn left at Erts to Pal. For the Col de la Botella continue on this road. The CG4 ends at the Andorran–Spanish border.