Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass

Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass cycling climb profile

Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass is a category 2 climb in CL that looks manageable on paper but still demands discipline. The headline number is 27.2 km at an average gradient of 3.55%, rising from 339 m to 1304 m for 965 m of net elevation gain. That combination tells you the main challenge is not a wall-like slope. It is duration, rhythm, and resisting the temptation to ride the early, easier-feeling terrain too hard.

The average gradient is modest, but it is not the full story. The climb has 1026 m of total ascent against 965 m of net gain, which points to a route that is not perfectly linear from bottom to summit. There is enough variation in the profile that short easier sections or minor losses are likely part of the experience, and those can be tactically dangerous. They make the climb feel less severe while still allowing fatigue to accumulate over a long distance.

How the gradient rides

The key number to respect is the 8.58% maximum gradient. On a climb averaging 3.55%, that maximum matters because it means the harder moments are significantly steeper than the overall profile suggests. Riders who pace purely off the average may find themselves over-geared or forced above threshold when the road kicks up.

The practical takeaway is simple: treat this as a long aerobic climb with intermittent pressure points. The pass is unlikely to require a constant grinding effort from the base, but it will reward riders who can keep power smooth through gradient changes rather than surging every time the road steepens.

Pacing and gearing

Start conservatively. With 27.2 km to climb, the opening phase should feel controlled, not heroic. If riding with power, anchor the effort below /glossary/ftp until the climb has settled into its rhythm. The worst mistake is using the shallow average gradient as permission to ride tempo too aggressively, then having no margin when the steeper ramps arrive.

Gearing should prioritize cadence control over speed. The 8.58% maximum gradient is not extreme in isolation, but after a long approach it can feel much harder if you are already riding close to your ceiling. Choose a setup that lets you stay seated and keep pressure on the pedals without turning the steepest pitches into repeated anaerobic efforts.

What type of rider it suits

This climb suits steady riders more than punchy climbers. The category 2 rating, the 965 m net gain, and the long 27.2 km length all point to a sustained endurance test rather than a short decisive ramp. Strong pacing will beat impatience here. Save the real commitment for the upper part of the climb, when the cumulative ascent has started to matter and the flatter average no longer feels so forgiving.