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Most competitive Strava segment in the world? Ed Laverack smashes Sa Calobra KOM

The 2019 British Hill Climb champion took the legendary KOM, which has stood for seven years, by 18 seconds from former Team Sky pro Sebastián Henao

Hill climb specialist Ed Laverack is the proud new owner of one of the most competitive Strava segments in the world — Sa Calobra.

The 9.4km climb is an iconic bucket list challenge for cyclists from across the world, and a regular winter testing ground for the WorldTour pros.

A quick peek at the Strava leaderboard will tell you as much. Four of the top ten were riding for Team Sky (now Ineos Grenadiers) when they set their best times, while 2018 Vuelta a España champion Simon Yates has the fifth-fastest time.

Ed Laverack Strava Sa Calobra

Laverack, who previously rode for several British continental teams, but now concentrates on hill climbing, and documents his training on YouTube, conquered Sa Calobra's 7 per cent average slopes in 24:36, at a mind-boggling average speed of 23km/h... 18 seconds quicker than Astana Qazaqstan pro Sebastián Henao.

His power meter data shows Laverack averaged 378w, with an average heart rate of 175bpm as he shredded the climb's famous twists and turns.

Ed Laverack Strava Sa Calobra

The segment has been attempted more than 180,000 times by 96,011 people (at the time of writing) and is one of the most popular climbs in Mallorca/ Spain/ Europe/ the world...

Sharing the KOM-breaking effort, Ed wrote: "Waw. I can't believe it all came together. That was worth the early alarm. No traffic, swirling wind but a headwind for the final bend to the top.

Ed Laverack Strava Sa Calobra

"Started to lose focus in the final 2km. This ride today was the most nervous I'd been in a long time, and I was just trying to calm myself down for the first half.

"Thank you to those that have followed along for this, those that backed me and the people on the road today that asked how I’d done as they were heading out to tackle their own rides. Set and smash your goals guys, but have some fun along the way."

Now go give that man some kudos!

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

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7 comments

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Velophaart_95 | 1 year ago
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I really don't what all the fuss is about; he can climb quickly, so what? I'd be more impressed about the KOM for the descent; that requires skill & technique. Climbing is a fitness, w/kg test.

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IanMSpencer replied to Velophaart_95 | 1 year ago
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It also requires that you don't meet too many buses and other traffic.

A KOM down there without it being closed road probably more suggests serious risk taking and luck rather than just skill.

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Mybike replied to Velophaart_95 | 1 year ago
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I always though climbing required skill and technique and going down hill was just gravity maybe that why no one beat the old KOM for 7 years

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Miller | 1 year ago
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Who decides whether a Strava segment is 'official'? There are loads of full or partial Sa Colabra segments.

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mdavidford replied to Miller | 1 year ago
6 likes
Miller wrote:

Who decides whether a Strava segment is 'official'?

Presumably whoever creates it and puts '(official)' on the end of the name.

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chrisonabike replied to mdavidford | 1 year ago
0 likes

Fact!

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peted76 | 1 year ago
2 likes

This is great to see! Ed has been planning a crack at this KOM since before COVID hit and scuppered his plans..  

Chapeau Ed, what KOM to have!! 

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