Average Man Attempts Zoncolan! | Giro d'Italia 2018 | Cycling | Eurosport

In the midst of the 2018 Giro d'Italia, one cycling fan saddles up to take on the legendary Zoncolan.
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[@eurosport]

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[@chrismoreman2289]

Eurosport - do you have an Average Man channel or play list? This guy gives me inspiration.

[@TiberiusPaulSavu]

Wow, lots of comments missing the point. An average man is not an amateur rider, so he wouldn't ride with cleats. Also, on their site, it's said that they went with flat pedals for safety reasons. Think about how an inexperienced rider would have unclipped at the end, in the area full of spectators. Also, he's riding an average man's bike, would you have him on a 5 kg climbing bike then complain that nobody could afford one? Sure, he would've done a lot better on a compact groupset and MTB cassette, but the point of this vid was the show how brutal this climb is compared to everything else...

[@Supersyncopation]

Plenty of videos of amateur cyclists climbing the Zoncolan if you are interested in that , this is something else

[@TiberiusPaulSavu]

The title says: "Average Man Attempts Zoncolan!". I'm not sure what else was everyone expecting... Again, not average rider, not average club cyclist, not Cat. 1 cyclist, an average man. Why click on the vid if you're not interested? As to who are they trying to appeal to, I don't know. People that are not riders but enjoy watching the Grand Tours? People who won't ever get to see the Zoncolan in person and wonder how they'd do? Again, where does all the negativity in the comments come from? It's not like they stole 7 mins out of your day by clickbaiting... You could tell from the first 20 seconds what the vid was about.

[@roadglide]

Tiberius Paul Savu Wow! Tiberius you are an amazing genius to point that out. Average man fully Kitted out with a full carbon race bike average and forgetting his cleats, my-my. Average men in Italy know better as they understand their national sport. An average “clueless man” might, and even take a Townie and 3 speed out with shorts and T-shirt and attempt to climb the “mutha of all mutha’s” historic fabled all time great Giro climb in tennis shoes. However for whomever this gent was/is, his efforts were good on the day. But certainly no point missed here.

[@xGshikamaru]

Jay Silver nope he would have got it right if he paced himself properly. Going into the red right at the start was a recipe for disaster. The latter part of the video showed that he could have done it with proper pacing. The guy has run 5 half marathons, he knew he was in for about an hour/an hour and a half of climbing, why did he push so hard at the beginning!?

[@soundninja99]

He probably never rides. It's easy to underestimate how much energy you can use up in under 100 meters.

[@stefanodirector]

I thought he did quite well for an average joe with no specific leg strength/ endurance. Zoncolan is brutal!

[@dickmartino9933]

Perhaps the guy knew he would be going slowly and decided not to wear clipless for safety.

[@BaxterRoss]

I think it's a cool reminder that regular people can ride (at least part way) up the Zoncolan to watch the racing :)

[@AndreaRoll]

average man would climb the zoncolan only on a bus. way above average man would even dare to give it a try on a bike very much far above the average would actually be able to reach the summit. that's how brutal it is

[@criggie]

Someone buy that man a triple chainring! I'd totally ride this climb, if it weren't on the other side of the planet from me :-( More Average-Man please!

[@istegalkarl]

putting on running shoes probably is the best option for the zoncolan. especially if you are not outside riding your bike but having time to comment on a video. nicely done eurosport

[@karlmylnere5712]

Great and deserved respect to this guy , even pros have been forced to stop on this monster ,and I.believe they have found an even harder way up , well done that man.

[@Tim9666]

THE OVARO HALFPIPE (35km\+2500m) I cycled up Zoncolan from Ovaro and it is quite brutal but if you really want BRUTAL go down the same side again, cross the bridge in Ovaro and go up the road to Passo della Forcella (It is paved and ok for road bike tyres). It rises 1330m over 8.2km with up to 28%, some switchbacks have around 32% on the inside. Zoncolan felt like a warmup suddenly. The full "half pipe" ride is close to 2500m elevation gain over just 35km and it will make you reconsider your life choices.

[@Kanoemirate]

As a beginner not even an amateur cyclist, the Zoncolan made me rethink what I've been thinking about pro cyclists. This video made me rethink lots about 🚴. My respect

[@fahim113]

You call him average but he's probably still in better shape than most of us on here 😂

[@GianCRO9597]

That's why we are below average 😂

[@MrDidaxi]

Thanks for sharing lads! Motivation and then some. Average guy here! Layperson, amateur cyclist. As "amateur-ish" as can be, BUT, passionate. This kind of insight and motivation is what we people need the most. Cheers! George from Hellas.

[@Eddie_Tyler]

Man at 6:15 was thinking.... damn! Shia LaBeouf has put on weight!

[@ramonsalespujol458]

Recorrer los 4 primeros kilómetros con ese porcentaje en 38 minutos, significa ya un buen estado de forma, well done.

[@robertprichard-jones4468]

Nice video, the average person in the UK is overweight and this guy has a ‘healthy BMI’ but even this relatively healthy amateur athlete struggled instantly, cool vid

[@klockz777]

Nice stuff. Makes people understand how hard is cycling and how well prepared cyclists must be to tackle this type of climb

[@xGshikamaru]

João Gonçalves that was the reason I commented in another thread. This type of stuff makes you feel that it's harder to do that than it really is. If you can sustain an effort for some time (and why wouldn't you, humankind is built for this specifically) and pace yourself properly there's no reason you can't do this. Of course you will take a lot more time than the pros, but you can do this.

[@gamma_dablam]

@@xGshikamaru the difficulty with Zoncolan is that the minimum intensity is very high.

[@louiscorbeau5093]

Respect!!!

[@culchy1971]

Whatever the comments say he still would be having an easier time in cleats, you never gave him a chance from the word go. I'm an average Joe, almost 50, never been in a cycling club and I know I'd ride it

[@nodders1]

I'm from Sutrio. Thanks for the video. I have a mad plan to do Zoncolan, Sutrio side, in tennis shoes and a borrowed bike. I am an "avarage" gal. I did a scouting tour in December, but only got to 3Km of the top and then the snow covered the route. I actually spat blood in the last part I managed to ride, in the snow, around 15% gradient and -9 degrees temperature. I kicked the bike & questioned my sanity. Oh, and I was there to greet Froome when he won :)

[@cyclingninja9677]

Great Vid. That certainly looks a savage climb.

[@MicheleGardini]

I did 5 times and my best was 1'14'30 (around), but I got a triple, so I used a 30X32. The central 6 kms are hard, 14% and almost no time to take a breath. You can't trick on it.

[@defaultYTchannel]

Some people’s comments... and we wonder why cyclists are unpopular! 13-14% gradient over the last 2 km is very hard (and not your typical club ride) albeit he came into it fresh. Most of the bad comments on here are clearly written by people who have never ridden anything greater than half that.

[@Model3dude]

Hell yea!! This is what it really looks like when I climb.. Yea sometimes I have to stop and check my sanity😝

[@averagelife5523]

Respect... just using normal shoes... I’m sure by now ( 2019 ) with his dedication he improved a lot

[@jayhoughton4174]

I kept expecting average man to start singing "your own, personal, Jesus"

[@nextev8794]

...someone to hear your prayers

[@BW_87]

Good effort seeing as though he doesn’t train, the climb looks absolutely brutal.

[@EM-pm8zc]

hahaha. that is awesome. Props for even attempting it.

[@jeffreypill]

I can't imaging and average man competing in 5 half marathons then cycling Zoncolan in sneakers.

[@LarsRR]

Jeff Pill it doesn’t mean that he is the absolute average person. It just means a “non cyclist”.

[@Abnsdllnnlosnfd]

3:23 Story of my life ;-(

[@sawdustcaesar6853]

I think it is funny how some people are so upset about the video. 1st time I have seen "average man" and yes I was surprised there were no cleats; So what. the behind the scenes look was good for me, because I will never personally go to the ZONCOLAN. More surprisingly was that fit blonde @ 5:26. My friends are going to have a run at me when and if they see that comment. @ 2:30 encouragement w/ bell ringer - sweet. I didn't notice quality of bike, but appeared to be reasonable for avg. up to date weekender. Cool video. FROOME was an animal here.

[@miivii]

Did it last year. From Ovaro. With compact and 12-29. It was harder than I tought to be. On top, my face skin color was all white :-).

[@BeniRaich]

I did it one week ago, it is true insane !!!! from ovaro, but huge memories for me.

[@courage4]

at least he remembered to put a cap on, made a difference in the end. slightly less important but worth taking in future would be a water bottle and cycling shoes.

[@Fyr35555]

Wish I had a zoncolan out in my back garden. Not very likely though in the British fens ;)

[@rinhu8864]

Liking the Eurosport kit

[@paulhatcher951]

Great effort, chapeau ! I know this is supposed to be average bod on average bike but if there's one thing that would have helped it's gearing. That ratio looks brutal for starters. There's no shame in high cadence 'granny' gears to get up these long steep climbs in 'relative' comfort. Whilst clipless would be more efficient there is a level of skill involved which the rider may not have had to unclip safely when in those crowds near the top.

[@AndreaRoll]

do more of these reports, people never understand how un-human pro athletes are cause they never get an honest comparison against regular people

[@DeveryAndrews]

It would appear Rule #5 wasn't followed.

[@yetidh]

You don't deserve to ride the last km's of such a legendary climb if you have been shuttled up a part of it.

[@secretagent86]

darned brave to even ATTEMPT that climb. Even when i was super-fit teenager racer i would never have been able to make it up that. now at age 64, i do an 18 percent grade most weeks of 330 meters (slowly lol). two years ago i had to walk up 1/2 way. there is one steeper hill in my area.. not sure but definitely over 20 percent and peaks higher towards the top... so far only made it up 1/2 way. anyway, well done sir.

[@pato20995]

Before watching I say there’s no way in a thousand years

[@edmundo47]

Intieresting insight, I'm planning a trip to the Zoncolan, good to know what awaits us mere mortals hah

[@orbifold4387]

While you are in the area, visit Monte Crostis. It is one of the most beautiful climbs, much more nicer than Zoncolan.

[@9034833838]

Liked because of the lad at 2:32

[@teleotto]

Moral of the story: Average men needs MTB gearing to get up the steepest climbs.

[@rob-c.]

I think touring gearing would be better - triple chainset like the old days.

[@yannhaffner6124]

Come on, you could have given the poor average guy a decent gear ratio. It's like he has to climb the thing with Tony Martin's 55x11 😁

[@robpittman3132]

Gotta say, I’m impressed that he was able to do it at all wearing runners on a decidedly non-lightweight bike!

[@zubetto85]

Probably, even a pro could not get to the summit using flat pedals

[@hewen8199]

holy crap that music

[@rexabian7101]

if this man rides this mountain everyday 1000x he will become a pro soon

[@i20010]

At least give the poor guy a 32 cassette. This was cruel.

[@Engel888]

I did it and it took 2 days to recover. Brutal. Harder than the Mortirolo

[@xgalvan1]

Beers per week.... 9? Lol

[@ruicalado1859]

But good work,nevertheless.thanks for the report.

[@TheMiguelosky]

there is a point... mostly try to do Zoncolan from both sides ...but there is a third...from Villa Santina to the top of Zoncolan but passing ...the forests with MTB... where just lumberjacks go.... there are points when from far you can't believe that is a way.....35-40% ....road ...is hard to say but a way...there are points that are cement in the middle of forest done with light stairs, light scars on the floor to give grip and drain water..... incredible...if you not see with your eyes... coming back from the same way I got problems with Discs ..over heating the brakes I had to jump from bike to a side to save me... second time I changed the brakes with 180 front and back Shimano Xtr trail ...no problem.. but with the previous...Hope brakes ...scary...

[@gamma_dablam]

There are 3 roads to the top of Zoncolan. The main road from Sutrio, and the forest roads from Priola and Ovaro. And then there's your outright crazy mtb trail

[@TheMiguelosky]

@@gamma_dablam yes that One...

[@nollm23]

He’s not even wearing bike shoes

[@zachm7292]

He very clearly has the wrong gearing, the best cyclist in the world used a 34x32

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Nuts!!!

[@Nojikuzus]

The poor guy is on flat pedals!

[@dr.merlot1532]

That's bs. An average man would not be able to climb out of the saddle

[@edudar]

All those folks wondering left and right at random on the narrow road - check!

[@tomislavaleksic2528]

Good effort! For an average man. By the way, how to get one of those cycling eurosport kits?

[@petieboy]

tenn.global/search?q=eurosport

[@charlienicholls2068]

Sorry but I don’t see what people are complaining about, in Cumbria 23% is basically nothing

[@robertbalu8001]

It is easy if you walk that 4km 15.4% part and that 18% at the end. I'm a sprinter somatotype (~24 FFMI), I rather walk fast than bike when the climb is over 12% - then it's easy.

[@jen3800]

well done! that takes balls! keep on riding, man. guys like you impress me than my race buddies and me on our slick gear. we had a guy recently keep up at 45 kph on a 30 k group ride, using a 1970's woman's Raleigh with flat pedals and sneakers and regular cheapo shorts ! impressive!

[@polochbabaaient2223]

38 min for 540meters climb is very good for an average man

[@DanielSong39]

He should've used Chris Froome's bike. He would've done a lot better

[@sandydennylives1392]

Hmm, no compact crank set, and a 26 max at the back, and flat peddles.

[@philipsangalang5077]

Yep, riders with nonsense gearing

[@dlear85]

You could say an average guy on an average bike

[@jb6879]

I was figuring a 28 in the back which would have been insane enough but a 26 with a standard, I would be fucked. The old pros used 42's as there 'small' chain ring and a 25-28 in the back, bye bye knees.

[@jinngeechia9715]

34/34 at least.

[@beeble2003]

If you look at the photo in "The story behind 'Average Man vs the Zoncolan'" on the Eurosport website, it looks like he's riding the B'Twin Ultra 900 CF with Shimano 105, which is 52-36x11-28. (Gotta say, though, I do like that fluoro bar tape!)

[@TRL-lz7ed]

42T is must 😂

[@MrStjn]

Proper shoes would mean you can push and pull using hamstrings also. Never had a chance in trainers although I get the safety reasons so pretty pointless experiment

[@petieboy]

Just in case anyone else comments on the trainers/pedals/bike/gearing situation here is the story: www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/giro-d-italia/2018/the-story-behind-average-man-vs-zoncolan-eurosport-s-visit-to-the-giro-s-steepest-climb_sto6770362/story.shtml

[@hariw834]

Poor "Average Man"

[@devrikalacos4440]

is it b twin 900 AF alu bike.52x36 and 11x28.good bike from b twin

[@AndreaRoll]

i would like to see everyone who is complaining he hasn't cleats trying to restart on his own on a 15% road after a stop with cleats shoes. The average man falls in his own backyard trying on cleats for fuck sake.

[@yannhaffner6124]

By the way, Contador climbed the Zoncolan in 2011 with a 34x32. You probably gave the guy something as a 26 at the rear, was it just a move to torture him ?

[@willowwatts]

Why is he is trainers and not in cleats??

[@omni_cyan6856]

He climb this wall with baskets...😂

[@Liofa73]

Interesting choice of gear... Hardly spinning to win is he? I'd say he's riding at 50-65rpm...

[@turkeychannel1]

I wish you guys put what gears you gave this dude haha probably a 11-25 hahah for mt zoncolan

[@dtmateo]

What was his gear combo?

[@ModraSmouha]

What gear ratio is this guy using? I am guessing 34/32? I had the opportunity to climb Zoncolan last Saturday, too. With 36/27 it was tough but I did it quiet well. But I ride bike regularly, so... Respect to this guy (y)

[@SebastianSamulczyk]

He's not using 32 in the back... He should go with compact, 32 in the back AND clipless pedals - much easier and managable... They've just shown what happens if you try to ride it unprepared and undergeared.

[@MsMizzica]

Did you really do it with 36/27? I wonder what your cadence was? Good job anyways

[@beeble2003]

I think it's 36/28 from looking up the accompanying article on the Eurosport website and comparing the photo in that with the B'Twin website.

[@ModraSmouha]

Yes I did it with 36 on the front and 27 on the rear. The cadence was 48avg due to the steepness and mainly crowds of people - I rode it before the stage. I recorded it with GoPro, all the climb from Ovaro. I have uploaded the video but I did not do any edit of the video, so it is recorded as it was in reality - little bit boring... :D You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYCrmHunrMuFpJY Peace

[@davidhuck3210]

But Boy u have got a nice pedalingstroke. Heels down and from toe upwards…:)))

[@ow4148]

I’ve done the zoncolan 4 years ago and average man done better than me!! When I was 27 I was above the.....well above the average man on the street. So how average is he? I also had a b-twin... yes,average. How average is he? Is he on the hot sauce?

[@Jan_ne]

10/10 for the music

[@caulonieseboy]

Give the poor man some cleats.

[@Timbucktoothed]

Wait a sec...! Is he riding on compact chain rings (50/34) and 11/32 at the back? I don't know about Froome with is Oval chain rings...but in the back he runs 11/32 for sure. Heck get an Ultegra 11/34 in the back...he will be fine. Just need freaking stamina and keep eating on the way up!

[@tromBoyer]

What’s with all the people walking in the middle of the road? Sheesh!!!

[@rehmsmeyer]

Did he died?

[@farmboyjude1078]

i hope he also use the 38-34 chainring

[@geraldp.5260]

without click-pedals ???

[@linesided]

I thought there would be more tears, and vomit...

[@stuartdryer1352]

I would give a lot to try that myself.

[@listofromantics]

Unless you're gettin' the "Full-Froome" cocktail from Team Sky's group of "Doctors," good luck, Mate! P.S. - He's got entirely the wrong bike setup to attempt this ride.

[@timetrialist]

Wore the wrong shoes mate

[@belizon]

34-34 + spd pedals and Bob is your uncle.

[@NeoPayneHK]

gogogo go ahead!!!

[@russellmoore1533]

And now for some of those 33% climbs in the Lakes District

[@balazs_korcsog]

Russell Moore ocnon hardknott is easy :) ( because it's short)

[@balazs_korcsog]

indeed

[@thisisbenji90]

People bitching about his shoes clearing don't have enough experience riding flats....

[@teddansonLA]

Amen to that.

[@blackwatch_TV]

Quality

[@kennethmack1740]

You need a compactChain rings