Eshnar said:I approve them as long as they're not overused. One silly steep climb in a GT is fine. Not more though.
And about time differences... I disagree, there's no proof these climbs create smaller gaps.
hrotha said:Yes, in moderation, and preferably as intermediate climbs when possible.
I believe the kind of spectacle they bring in relies mostly on the shock value of seeing the top riders crawling up a slope. When that wears off, what you get is not much.
roundabout said:Maybe. 2 of them in the same race? Hell no.
Agree...
Is Sierra Nevada the only climb on the mainland which is long, consistent, yet still highly difficult? It seems every climb in the Vuelta is inconsistent, switching between steep and flat sections (tending to be steeper at the top). Either that or just very weak rollers. What does it have say around say >= 15km and >=7.0% (consistently)? Or even something along the lines or 10km @ 9-10%
In any case, I much prefer Angliru's 6km of death than these Bola/Cuitu Negru types. Do not have a problem with them being in the mix though, but not every year, not in the same year and so on.