Colle dell’Agnello

Colle dell’Agnello

The Colle dell’Agnello (Col Agnel) connects the Piedmont region of Italy to the south-east with the Queyras valley of France to the north-west. Reaching an elevation of 2,744 meters, it represents the third-highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. Despite its significant altitude, the modern road was only fully paved and modernized in 1970, transforming an ancient mule track into a vital seasonal link between the Cottian Alps. The summit serves as a clear international boundary, marked by a stone monolith that delineates the transition between the Italian Val Varaita and the French Hautes-Alpes.

In professional cycling, the pass is classified as a "Cima Coppi" or "Hors Catégorie" climb due to its extreme elevation and exposure to volatile weather. First appearing in the Giro d’Italia in 1994, the climb has repeatedly served as a decisive site for the general classification. During the 2016 Giro d’Italia, the pass was the scene of a critical shift in the overall lead when pink jersey holder Steven Kruijswijk crashed into a snowbank on the early part of the descent. This stage was also marked by the tactical maneuver of Michele Scarponi, who crossed the summit first before stopping to wait and pace his teammate Vincenzo Nibali toward an eventual overall victory. The pass remains a focal point for elite competition because the oxygen-depleted air and high-altitude conditions at the summit frequently induce significant time gaps within the peloton.