When French national coach Cyril Guimard visited the 2018 World Championships course in Innsbruck, Austria, last month he remarked that he had 'not seen anything so hard since the World Championships in Sallanches [1980].'
The mountainous course features six laps of a larger loop which includes a 7.9km climb at 5.7% to Igls before a final circuit which will include the real test for the riders, Gramartboden, the 2.8km, 11.5% climb that reaches a knee-crunching 28%.
The climb nicknamed 'hell' will no doubt be a deciding factor in who takes home the rainbow jersey and after seeing footage of Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) crawling to the top, will bring even the strongest climbers to a near-standstill.
It will surely be a sight to behold and now organisers are offering amatuers the chance to tackle the climb just one day before the men's event.
On 29th September, the Krone Ride to Holl will see 2018 participants set off in small groups in a timed ascent of the climb. The entire route is just 3.2km in total but will take riders from 574m to 865m starting at the foot of the Hofburg Imperial Palace before finishing in the village of Gramartboden.
The narrow Hottingergasse will be the steepest part of the climb including a 350m section that averages a hearty 23.7% which includes that 28% spike.
The quickest male and femal finishers will be declared the 'King and Queen of Holl' with podium finishes in both categories being presented with prizes.
Racers and onlookers will then be able to stick around as the women's elite race passes by just hours later.
Entries to this hellish event cost €59 with an early bird entry which includes a guaranteed starting place, food and drink as well a viewing ticket for the women's race and a goodie bag.
The men's elite World Championships race will take place on Sunday 30th September distancing 265km with 5,000m of vertical elevation.