Comprehensive Climbers Ranking

[Pozzovivo]

This post has gotten much better peer review than most academic papers I've been reading recently

You must be reviewer #2 on my latest paper.

 

[Peyresourde]

Over the last few months, I have continued to work on my database and done a few changes. Most of them are just 1 Index points here or there. There have also been a few new performances. Today I have edited all 3 rankings in the OP.


Major changes:
- After MSR, I redid all Poggio and Cipressa ascents. I have removed all Poggio mentions (uncertainty too high) and replaced last year's Cipressa ascent with the 2026 one in the 100+ ranking

- After the renewed focus on motodrafting I also rewatched LBL 24+25 and realized that Pogacar got a bit of motodraft on Redoute in both editions. I lowered the watts slightly and both ascents are now only 99 and thus fell out of the 100+ ranking

- Indurain is moved down a tier (no major changes, but he lost 1 Index point here or there, resulting in a lower overall number)

- Lipowitz added to the climber ranking. Seixas does not have enough high level performances yet to be added.

- I will distinguish between classic/hill and mountain efforts from now on. As I do a climbers ranking, I have limited every rider to a max of 2 hill type efforts (out of 10 total climbs) to calculate their ranking. Riders like Jalabert and Porte have dropped a bit in the rankings as a result.


Some more minor changes for those who are interested:

Spoiler

- Alpe d'Huez: W/kg reduced by 0.01 for most ascents
- Ax 3 Domaines: W/kg increased after reworking the segment (Froome now 80, Laiseka in 2001: 88)
- Angliru: There was a slight mistake with the adjustment and segement in some years. Recent editions like 2023 and 2025 have slightly lower Indexes now
- I redid the Tourmalet calcs from both sides, especially the eastern one. Also Sierra Nevada.
- Lowered the watts for the Peyragudes TT slightly after looking at some more strava files

- Avoriaz: I studied all the Avoriaz ascents more closely, as there have been some impressive performances. They used a slightly different segment each time and video is not always available. Ugrumov almost cracked the 100 mark there in 1994.
Hinault in 1979 climbed faster than Indurain in 1994 (slightly different side)!! This was by far his best ever climbing performance, although the exact time is not 100% certain

 

[Rou]

How are Pogacar's performances on La Redoute 99?
To me this is quite an overestimation.

 

[BubbaChuck]

How would you rate Pog in flanders,i know its hard. Motorbike.

 

[AmRacer]

How would you rate Pog in flanders,i know its hard. Motorbike.

Remember Pidcock at 2 min

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HU6DYLGuRVs

 

[Peyresourde]

How are Pogacar's performances on La Redoute 99?
To me this is quite an overestimation.

Do you hav any specific reason?

In 2025 Pogacar did 2350 VAM into a headwind after 220k of racing. (8.59 w/kg for 3:59)

Ben Healy also mentioned in a podcast that he did almost exactly 8 w/kg that day. I have him at 7.99 w/kg which fits perfectly. Healy lost 11-12 seconds and drafted much more. This is a world of difference for a 4 minute climb.
So I am quite confident in my numbers, although it is always less certain for short climbs.

How would you rate Pog in flanders,i know its hard. Motorbike.

The climbs in Flanders are not suited to this kind of analysis (too short and cobbles create extra difficulties in the calculation).

This year, Pogacar was slightly better on the 2nd and 3rd Kwaremont (cobbles only part) than in 2025 and slightly slower on most of the other climbs. The difference was that he pushed much harder and longer on the flats.
Overall, the performances seem comparable, though I would perhaps give the edge to this year.


Just the second passage of the Oude Kwaremont (wind was slightly worse there this year). Keep in mind that the exact watts are very uncertain:

Tadej Pogacar | 87 (+9): 8.89 W/kg for 2:35 on 2nd Kwaremont (Flanders 2026)
Tadej Pogacar | 82 (+7): 8.81 W/kg for 2:35 on 2nd Kwaremont (Flanders 2025)