Simoni goes 1850 metres/hour 1850 VAM

Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) conquered the 10.1-kilometre Monte Zoncolan in 1850 metres per hour according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The speed, 39 minutes over the 1203 metres, 1850 VAM (Velocity Ascended, Metres per hour Vm/h), was faster than that of Ivan Basso on the Maielletta Passo Lanciano in 2006, 1805 VAM. Marco Pantani blasted up the Alpe d'Huez with a 1791 VAM and Danilo Di Luca did the final four kilometres of Tre Cime di Lavaredo with a 1750 VAM.

That is 6070 ft/hr. That is insane!!

Faster climbing than Basso and Pantani? Damn, he must be hitting the juice...

No, it's correct. I was curious as to what was wrong with that quote until I figured out it was measured vertically.

VAM favors steeper gradients so 1850 on Mt. Zoncolan is probably not as good as 1790 on Alpe d'Huez.

Wow, that's incredible. If I cut my hill repeat ride time in half to get just the climbs (ignoring the helpful recovery I get on the descents), I still only end up with 5300 ft/hr.

VAM favors steeper gradients so 1850 on Mt. Zoncolan is probably not as good as 1790 on Alpe d'Huez.

It is incredible but I agree. Your increase in speed on a 10% gradient versus 15% is not going to be enough to make up for the gain in vertical feet.

Wow, Simoni (and I'd assume Piepoli was about the same) is a beast!

impressive. now why has simoni never been a factor at the TDF or vuelta?

Because he doesn't give two sh!ts about the TdF or Vuelta, in all likelihood.

You can't compare VAM between different climbs on different days. Pantani and Basso would have to have raced up Zoncolan before any comparisons to Simoni could be made.

Because he doesn't give two sh!ts about the TdF or Vuelta, in all likelihood.

exactly.