Comprehensive Climbers Ranking

[Red Rick]

Who are those Giro monsters that you think Yates needs to up his level significantly to beat? There's Vingegaard, there's Almeida (but he clearly had fitness/health problems so being at his best is far from certain, Yates will be a co-leader). Yates should be at least on par with other strong guys making him a strong podium candidate.

What reason is there to assume he should be a podium candidate in 2026.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

What reason is there to assume he should be a podium candidate in 2026.

I'm referring to the general level of Giro competition. It will be low and Yates has a decent form and a lot of experience. I think he should be among the candidates for the 3rd place but it also depends on how well Almeida recovers. BTW wasn't Simon "washed up" before last years win?

 

[Netserk]

Who are those Giro monsters that you think Yates needs to up his level significantly to beat?

geesus

I'm referring to the general level of Giro competition. It will be low

stronger than last year

probably the strongest this decade at least

edit : 2023 was arguably stronger

 

[Krzysztof_O]

geesus

stronger than last year

Sure, there's Vingegaard. Other than that, I don't know: If Almeida doesn't reach his best the 2nd and 3rd place will be more open and yes, Yates has a shot.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

I almost forgot what this thread is about.

 

[Peyresourde]

Who are those Giro monsters that you think Yates needs to up his level significantly to beat? There's Vingegaard, there's Almeida (but he clearly had fitness/health problems so being at his best is far from certain, Yates will be a co-leader). Yates should be at least on par with other strong guys making him a strong podium candidate.

Almeida if fit. Then I would also rate Pellizzari, Arensman and Gall higher.
There are also several other riders I would rate similarly like Storer, Hindley, Carapaz, maybe Landa.

Of course, if Yates returns to his 23/24 summer level he would be a podium favourite, but I have not seen an indication of that yet.

 

[Peyresourde]

For the stage today I expected a bit more (good conditions for high watts/kg with an easy approach), especially from Pellizzari. Nevertheless congrats for his win.
Finn is also showing signs of life.

Gulio Pellizzari | 70 (-7): 6.74 W/kg for 16:17 on Martelltal (bottom part) (Alps 2026)



The last weeks, there has been no standout performance except for Seixas on stage 2 of the Basque Country. Everything else has been between the high 60s and mid 70s, overall not better than the spring level of the early 2020s at all.


[The best performance of last week has actually not been mentioned yet by me:

Matthew Riccitello | 74 (0): 6.96 W/kg for 11:00 on Mont Poupet (Jura Tour 2026)

Riccitello seems to be a very similar type of rider to Adam Yates who showed a comparable level in Gran Camino.]

 

[Brullnux]

Pellizzari said he felt tired going into the final climb. Maybe a post-altitude camp hangover or if it was harder than it looked, not sure

 

[Coppi-Bartali]

Pozzovivo the best climber over 40 of all time?
With all due respect to Horner 😂

 

[Peyresourde]

Pozzovivo the best climber over 40 of all time?
With all due respect to Horner 😂

Maybe third after Horner and Valverde.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pozzovivo the best climber over 40 of all time?
With all due respect to Horner 😂

Come on, grandpa Horner beat peak Nibali in La Vuelta'2013. He's the GOAT for guys 40+.
He would've won the Tour in 2023 had he continued for another decade.