JENKIN ROAD

WINCOBANK, SHEFFIELD

The organisers of the Yorkshire stages of the 2014 Tour de France found the perfect finale to stage two in this climb. Bearing more than a passing resemblance to the famous Côte de Saint Nicolas in Liège, this killer incline is so savage it will remain etched into the professional peloton’s legs forever. With a dead turn at the base it’s almost impossible to carry any momentum on to the arrow-straight and instantly steep opening 200 metres. The wide, smooth road then begins to bank slightly right on its 20% slope towards what is now an infamous corner. Maxing out at over 25% (some say 30%), it bends left and continues remorselessly steep to the next sweeping corner, after which the slope thankfully eases. But you’re not finished yet. Heading right there’s one final kick, a 50 metres push to the summit of a climb that saw the best racing of the whole Grand Tour depart.