flat tire
07-08-05, 10:36 AM
I have been waiting for this to be explained on OLN as I watch the tour, but it never seems to be told. How do they categorize climbs as level 1, 2, 3, 4? Thanks.
Professional Cycling - Please explain how climbs are categorized
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Smoothie104
07-08-05, 11:18 AM
By level of Difficulty, and not just the steepness, but also the length the rating can change depending on when and where it is in the stage.
A climb may be a 3rd category if in the 1st 30 miles of a stage, but that same climb at the end of a 120 miles with other climbs preceeding it will be ranked 2 or maybe higher.
4 is the least severe, with 1 being the most severe. There is also an H.C. rating, which is Hors Categorie, which means "beyond classification" ie... you going to have a really really bad day at the office.
A climb may be a 3rd category if in the 1st 30 miles of a stage, but that same climb at the end of a 120 miles with other climbs preceeding it will be ranked 2 or maybe higher.
4 is the least severe, with 1 being the most severe. There is also an H.C. rating, which is Hors Categorie, which means "beyond classification" ie... you going to have a really really bad day at the office.
Laggard
07-08-05, 11:41 AM
It's a combination of length, grade, road surface and where it occurs in the stage.
As smoothie said.
As smoothie said.
TheKillerPenguin
07-08-05, 11:45 AM
4 is the least severe, with 1 being the most severe. There is also an H.C. rating, which is Hors Categorie, which means "beyond classification" ie... you going to have a really really bad day at the office.
I like that :D As if a cat1 climb isn't bad enough.
They could have just made 5 categories, but they had to figure out a way to intimidate even the climbers!
I like that :D As if a cat1 climb isn't bad enough.
They could have just made 5 categories, but they had to figure out a way to intimidate even the climbers!
Keith99
07-08-05, 02:04 PM
It seems at least at the category 4 level it can even depend where in the tour. Stage 1 up to 4 or 5 they look for any bump in an otherwise flat stage to get some KOM points.
Also how continous the climb is makes a difference. If there are sections that flatten out a bit where you can catch your breath a climb will be rated lower even if the average gradient is the same.
Also how continous the climb is makes a difference. If there are sections that flatten out a bit where you can catch your breath a climb will be rated lower even if the average gradient is the same.
meb
07-09-05, 02:09 AM
By level of Difficulty, and not just the steepness, but also the length the rating can change depending on when and where it is in the stage.
A climb may be a 3rd category if in the 1st 30 miles of a stage, but that same climb at the end of a 120 miles with other climbs preceeding it will be ranked 2 or maybe higher.
4 is the least severe, with 1 being the most severe. There is also an H.C. rating, which is Hors Categorie, which means "beyond classification" ie... you going to have a really really bad day at the office.
Is it subjective or algorithmic or is some other criterion used in classifying?
A climb may be a 3rd category if in the 1st 30 miles of a stage, but that same climb at the end of a 120 miles with other climbs preceeding it will be ranked 2 or maybe higher.
4 is the least severe, with 1 being the most severe. There is also an H.C. rating, which is Hors Categorie, which means "beyond classification" ie... you going to have a really really bad day at the office.
Is it subjective or algorithmic or is some other criterion used in classifying?
Dolomiti
07-09-05, 08:26 AM
Is it subjective or algorithmic or is some other criterion used in classifying?
I'm guessing it's mostly subjective, with some basic set guidelines. The ASO often seems a bit inconsistant with their climb classification to me. Like in Paris-Nice, where some climbs rated 'cat 1' would most likely be cat 3 in the Tour.
I'm guessing it's mostly subjective, with some basic set guidelines. The ASO often seems a bit inconsistant with their climb classification to me. Like in Paris-Nice, where some climbs rated 'cat 1' would most likely be cat 3 in the Tour.
zero
07-10-05, 10:43 PM
There's a new job for Lance next year. A month before the tour he can ride each stage and at the top of every climb they can take his blood-lactate level and form a scale for what category the climb should be.
ed073
07-10-05, 11:29 PM
go here....about 1/2 way down.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/?id=FAQ
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/?id=FAQ