Lacets de Montvernier, France: sometimes described as an Alpine Scalextric, the climb has 18 hairpins that switch back every 150m. Pure. Endurance.
Michael Blann
Stelvio Pass, Italy: there are 48 (yes, 48) hairpin bends between the south Tyrolean village of Prato and the mountain’s summit
Michael Blann
Gotthard Pass, Switzerland: a regular feature of the Tour de Suisse, this old alpine pass connects northern and southern Switzerland
Michael Blann
Mont Ventoux, France: tree-felling by Toulon shipbuilders has left the upper slopes above Chalet Reynard eerily bare
Michael Blann
Grimsel Pass, Switzerland: It's a hell of a ride to get to the rocky outcrop that's home to the Grimsel Hospice, Switzeland's oldest guesthouse
Michael Blann
Col’ d’Aubisque, France: So it's not an ascent, but when you're hammering the pedals through a pitch black tunnel like this one, you won't be stopping to think about that
Michael Balnn
Col du Galibier, France: This is often the highest point in the Tour De France. Snow clings to the northern slopes of the mountain even in summer
Michael Blann
Col d’Izoard, France: the ride to the summit and the descent south towards Guillestre have been the backdrop to some of the most iconic moments in Tour de France history
Michael Blann
What do you get when you mix the world's greatest cyclists with the most beautiful mountains in Europe? No, not achy legs – some seriously epic, nail-biting ascents, that's what.
From the oldest hotel in Switzerland to the highest point of the Tour de France in, er, France – London-based photographer Michael Blann spent three years out in the mountains capturing incredible shots of the some of the world's greatest cyclists.
The result is his latest book, Mountains: Epic Cycling Climbs – an equally epic (and very beautiful) coffee table book published by Thames and Hudson. Tour de France? More like Tour de force.
What's even better is that since through-mountain car tunnels started popping up all over the Alps, these rides are becoming bikers' to own. About time you got pedalling.
Mountains: Epic Cycling Climbs, featuring amazing essays from leading cyclists like Geraint Thomas, Lizzie Deignan and Romain Bardet, is available now for £34.95.
Some of Michael Blann's breathtaking snaps are also on show at the Rouleur Classic at Victoria House, London, from 3-5 November.
For tickets and more information, visit rouleurclassic.cc
