In races like the Tour de France, how are specific classifications given to individual mountains? I know the length and grade of the climb are taken into consideration, as well as the road surface, but is there a certain formula to say one climb in a category 1, whereas another is an HC or category 2?
Thanks,
Adam
I don’t think it is a specific fomula, but all the things you mention are taken into account, length, ave grade, max grade, road width, road surface etc. In addition, WHERE the climb occurs during the stage is factored in. If it’s early in the stage a climb can be a cat 1, but if it is late in a stage, it could be a HC.
I’ve wondered the same thing and never could find a diffinative formula.
If there is a formula, I thought it would be fun to see what kind of mountains I go over. I fear that most of my riding only takes me over Category 5 climbs, if that.
Adam
I can’t verify the accuracy of this, but it sounds good:
One of the most frequently asked questions is how do the organizers
determine the ratings for the climbs in the Tour de France(TIOOYK).
The Tour organizers use two criteria 1) the length and steepness of
the climb and 2) the position of the climb in the stage.
It is important to note several things before this discussion begins.
First, the organizers of the Tour have been very erratic in their
classifications of climbs. The north side of the Col de la Madeleine
has flip-flopped between a Category 1 to an Hors Category climb,
even though it seems to be in the same position of a stage every
year.
Secondly, rating inflation, so rampant in other sports has raised
its ugly head here. Climbs that used to be Category 2 are now
Category 1, even though, like the Madeleine, they occupy the same
position in a stage year after year.
Let’s talk about the ratings. I will give you my impressions
on what I think the criteria are for rating the climbs based on
having ridden over 75 of the rated climbs in the major European
tours.
Note that gradual climbs do not receive grades. It has been my
observation that about a 4% grade is necessary for a climb to get
rated. Also, a climb must gain at least 100m for it to be rated.
*Category 4 - the lowest category, climbs of 300-1000 feet(100-300m). *
*Category 3 - climbs of 1000-2000 feet(300-600m). *
*Category 2 - climbs of 2000-3500 ft.(600-1100m) *
*Category 1 - climbs of 3500-5000ft(1100-1500m) *
*Hors Category - the hardest, climbs of 5000ft+(1500m+) *
Steepness also plays a factor in the rating. Most of the big climbs
in the Alps average 7-8% where the big climbs in the Pyrenees average
8-9%.
Please remember that I am giving very, very rough guidelines and
that there are exceptions to every rule. For example, L’Alpe D’Huez
climbs 3700ft(1200m), but is an Hors Category climb. This is because
it usually comes at the end of a very tough stage and the climb itself
is unusually steep(~9%) by Alpine standards.
More confusing is the Col de Borderes, a mere 1000ft(300m) climb outside
of Arrens in the Pyrenees mountains. I have seen it rated anywhere from
a Category 3 to a Category 1!!! This is most likely due again, to its
placement on the stage. The Category 3 rating came when it was near
the beginning of a stage where its Category 1 rating came when it was
near the end.
Flat or downhill sections can also affect a climb’s rating. Such
sections offer a rest to the weary and can reduce the difficulty
of the climb considerably. This may be one of the reasons that
the aforementioned Col de la Madeleine, which has a 1 mile downhill/
flat section at mid-height, flip-flops in its rating.
I am often asked how climbs in the United States compare to those in
Europe. Most of the US climbs are either short, but steep enough by
European standards(6-8% grade) to fall into the Category 3 or possibly 2,
or the climbs gain enough altitude, but are too long(they average <5%)
so again they would fail to break the Category 1 barrier and end up
most likely a Category 2 or 3.
Fear not, there are exceptions. Most notable to Californains is
the south side of Palomar Mountain which from Poma Valley climbs
4200’ in 11 miles, a true category 1 ascent.
A popular Northern California climb, Mount Hamilton, is similar to
Palomar Mountain but, fails to be a Category 1 climb because of
two offending downhill section on the ascent.
For Coloradoans, you can thank the ski industry for creating long,
but relatively gradual climbs that rarely exceed 5% for any substantial
length(5+ miles). I never had to use anything bigger than a 42x23
on any climb in Colorado, regardless of altitude. Gear ratios of
39x24 or 26 are commonplace in the Alps and Pyrenees and give a very
telling indication as to the difficulty of European climbs.
One potential category 1 climb for Coloradoans may be the 4000 ft.
climb in about 15 miles from Ouray to the top of Red Mountain Pass.
Also, remember we are rating only paved(i.e. asphalt) roads. Dirt roads
vary considerably in their layout, condition and maintenance because there
really are no guidelines for their construction. This makes it difficult
to compare these climbs and inappropriate to lump them with paved roads.
One last note. I think it is inappropriate to compare the ascents of
climbs by the European pros with the efforts of us mere mortals.
I have said this time and time again and I will repeat it now. It
is very, very hard for the average person to comprehend just how
fast the pros climb the big passes. Pace makes all the difference.
Riding a climb is very different than racing it.
Bruce
Wow. Based on the criteria above, the “Beast” in St. Croix might be only a Cat 4 climb. The last part of that climb felt like it was straight up. I had to zig-zag up that puppy, and was greatful to get to the top without walking.
I was concerned (OK, worried) about not making it up that climb. Perhaps I should have just abandoned too. After all, I had a bad swim, and it was darn hot, and the sun was in my eyes, and my legs were tired, and they were serving hot red Gatorade which is just awful, and I’m a Clydesdale, and I had to get up early that day, and the service at dinner the night before was terrible, besides I had already had some success earlier this year, and my coach would understand in time, and… Then again my team car wasn’t there to take me away either, but I digress. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Joel
I was happy to see Palomar mentioned as a cat. 1. Now I know why it hurts soooo bad. 
I would say that description seems about right from the limted experience I have. I’ve riden catagory 2 and catagory 1 climbs in the “Mountains of Misery” ride.
This page of mine has the topos
http://www.angelfire.com/retro/355_rider/mom.htm
Another good site is www.komcycling.com
I did l’etape de tour in 2001 which contained the same climbs as stage 15 this year namely Col D’Aspin, Col Du Tourmalet and L’Ardiden. The first is a Cat 1, the last 2 HC.
To simulate the stage I built up to a triple loop on Palomar (11-12m @ 7.5%). It wasn’t enough. One difference is that whereas the roads here are at a pretty even grade the roads in France follow old footpaths and vary considerably. The Tourmalet starts out at a benign 5-6 %, then kicks in with a mile or so of 10-11% before finishing with 3 miles @ 9%.
To add insult to injury I trained in the Palomar summer heat and then suffered freezing rain in France. 3 days later the boys did it in hot sunshine at twice the speed.