Perched high above the Côte d’Azur in southeast France, the Col de la Madone has never appeared in the Tour de France. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a global icon thanks to numerous professionals (including, famously, one Mr. L. Armstrong) who have frequented its slopes to test their form against the clock. Indeed, it is one of the most well-known “pro” climbs on the planet, along with Rocacorba and Sa Calobra.

The climb begins in Menton, the last town on the French Riviera before entering Italy. With a peak elevation of 927 meters above sea level, it’s a good half-hour time trial if you’re in world-class shape.

Here’s an IRL segment close to Zwift’s (although Zwift’s appears to start earlier):