Video: Mike Cotty rides the Hautacam for The Col Collective

Mike Cotty has been out bagging another iconic climb for The Col Collective – this time, the Hautacam in the Pyrenees. As ever, it’s an engaging and informative video as he turns the pedals on his way to the summit.

The climb has featured five times in the Tour de France since its debut in 1994, and two riders – Bjarne Riis in 1996, and Vincenzo Nibali last year – have won the stage and gone on to clinch the yellow jersey in Paris.

Cotty says: “Deep in the heart of the Midi-Pyrénées, Hautacam may not have the length, height or prestige of the Col du Tourmalet but that’s exactly the deceptive nature it uses to lull you into a false sense of security when tackling its slopes for the first time.

“In fact, I’d go one step further and say that, despite having ridden it a number of times now, I never feel that I’m fully in control on this ascent. The road hits you hard from the start and continues to undulate like a roller-coaster offering moments of respite before pitching up again to over double figures, pushing you further into the red.

“It always gives a sense that it’s just toying with me, seeing how much I can take before turning the screw just a little bit more.

“In some respect this is why I like it so much, the lure of such a challenge never fades and as you approach the top the tree line opens up to reveal a new world of greatness which makes every hard earned pedal stroke all the more rewarding.”

Here are the climb’s vital statistics:

Start: Gave River Bridge (D913/D100)
Length: 13km
Summit: 1,520m
Elevation gain: 1,064m
Average gradient: 8%
Max gradient: 13%