Alto de El Pozo

Alto de El Pozo cycling climb profile

Alto de El Pozo is not defined by a savage average gradient. It is defined by duration. At 29.1 km, this Category 1 climb asks for restraint long before it asks for force. The 3.91% average can look manageable on paper, but that figure is spread across a very long ascent from 1,231 m to 2,367 m, with 1,136 m of net elevation gain and 1,225 m of total ascent.

That gap between net gain and total ascent matters. It points to a climb that is not a perfectly steady ramp from bottom to top. There is enough variation in the profile that riders should expect rhythm changes rather than a single metronomic effort. The key is not treating the easier sections as permission to surge. On a climb this long, small accelerations early become expensive late.

How the gradient rides

The average gradient of 3.91% suggests a climb where speed stays relatively high compared with steeper mountain passes, especially on the gentler ramps. That changes the tactical feel. Aerobic efficiency, position, and smooth pressure on the pedals matter because the climb is long enough for poor pacing to compound.

The maximum gradient of 9.13% is the important warning label. Even if most of the ascent sits below that, the steepest ramps are sharp enough to break a rider who has been riding the average rather than the climb. The correct read is simple: this is a long endurance climb with intermittent moments where low-end gearing and patience become necessary.

Pacing and gearing notes

Ride the opening as if the summit is still a full climb away, because it is. The main pacing mistake is letting the modest average gradient pull you above sustainable effort. If using power, anchor the ride around a controlled climbing effort rather than chasing speed on every shallower section. For riders using perceived exertion, the early sensation should feel contained and repeatable, not assertive.

Gearing should be chosen for the 9.13% maximum gradient, not the 3.91% average. A setup that feels comfortable on moderate slopes may become limiting when the road pitches up, particularly after a long accumulation of vertical gain. Having one easier gear than expected is the safer choice because it protects cadence and keeps the effort aerobic when the gradient briefly tightens.

This is the kind of climb where discipline beats aggression. Settle in, avoid repeated spikes, and use the gentler sections to keep momentum without forcing the pace. The profile rewards riders who can turn a long, uneven ascent into one continuous controlled effort. For pacing reference, linking the effort to your /glossary/ftp makes more sense than riding it by speed alone.