What is a "pure climber"

[Jiffer]

I have read the term "pure climber" on the internet a couple of times lately and I'm wondering what exactly it means. Here's an example below of a race report I was reading.

We would climb gradually by 1,780 feet on these twisty, but smooth, roads, which seemed pretty easy and wouldn't favor the pure climbers.

At first I assumed a pure climber is someone who is really good at climbing. Duh! But use of it in this context confuses me. Why would 1,780 feet of climbing NOT favor pure climbers? So then I'm left to think they mean if the climbing was MORE difficult, it would benefit a pure climber because they'd have more of an advantage over less skilled climbers. Did I guess right?!

[maillotpois]

It's the word "gradually" - is it 1780 feet in 10 miles or in 50 miles? Big difference, but "gradually" leads me to believe it is a long distance, shallower climb, which wouldn't favor a pure climber who would excel at the steeper climbs.

Marco Pantani was a pure climber - tiny and wiry and strong. Mario Cipolliini not so much, but Mario could hang with Pantani on the shallower climbs I am sure because the power to weight ratio is not such a factor.

[SadieKate]

Note that "pure" doesn't necessarily mean drug-free.

[maillotpois]

Snort!

[ny biker]

Whatever a pure climber is, I am the opposite.

[pinkbikes]

Whatever a pure climber is, I am the opposite.

I'm with you! I'm a pure couch sitter! Pure chocolate eater!?

[malkin]

Whatever a pure climber is, I am the opposite.

An impure climber?

[Jiffer]

It's the word "gradually" - is it 1780 feet in 10 miles or in 50 miles? Big difference, but "gradually" leads me to believe it is a long distance, shallower climb, which wouldn't favor a pure climber who would excel at the steeper climbs.

Marco Pantani was a pure climber - tiny and wiry and strong. Mario Cipolliini not so much, but Mario could hang with Pantani on the shallower climbs I am sure because the power to weight ratio is not such a factor.

So, basically I was right. Harder climb would benefit the pure climber. The ride they're talking about is a 40 mile out and back, but the climbing part is during the first 20.