Cian Bombarda

Overview

Cian Bombarda is a category 1 climb that asks for patience before it asks for power. Over 13.8 km the road lifts you from a near sea-level start of 8 m to a summit of 817 m, a net gain of 809 m. The average gradient of 5.88% sounds civil, and for long stretches it is, but the total ascent of 835 m tells you the road never truly gives the elevation back — every metre you win, you keep. This is a sustained mountain effort, not a punchy wall, and the way you ride the first half decides how the second half feels.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is 5.88%, but averages hide the story. With a maximum pitch of 14.28%, Cian Bombarda has ramps that more than double the average, and those steep sections are what shape the climb's character. Because the total ascent (835 m) exceeds the net gain (809 m), there are short reliefs where the road eases and briefly flattens — small windows to recover before the grade bites again. Expect a rhythm of moderate drags punctuated by sharper kicks. The 14.28% max is the moment to respect most: if it lands late, when your legs are already loaded from 809 m of climbing, it can turn a controlled ride into a survival crawl.

Pacing Notes

Treat Cian Bombarda as a threshold effort spread across the full 13.8 km. Anchor your pace to a percentage of your FTP rather than to how you feel in the opening kilometres, where fresh legs tempt you to overspend. On a 5.88% average, aim to sit just below threshold so you keep a reserve for the 14.28% ramps, where power spikes are unavoidable. Let the gradient — not your ego — dictate effort: back off on the steep pitches by dropping cadence gracefully, then rebuild on the shallower sections. If you're unsure what wattage to target across a climb this length, run your numbers through the FTP estimator first and pace to the result.

Gearing

With 835 m of total ascent and pitches touching 14.28%, gearing is where most riders either float or suffer. A compact 34-tooth inner ring is the sensible foundation. Pair it with at least a 34×32, which gives you a low enough ratio to keep the pedals turning on the steeper drags without grinding. If you carry any fatigue, ride at a lower cadence, or simply want insurance against that 14.28% max, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket buys you a smoother spin through the hardest ramps and protects your knees over a 13.8 km effort. On a category 1 climb of this length, easier gearing is almost never a mistake.

Summary

Cian Bombarda rewards discipline: pace the 5.88% average conservatively, gear low for the 14.28% ramps, and respect that 809 m of net gain over 13.8 km is a genuine mountain day. Ride it smart and the summit at 817 m comes as a reward rather than a rescue.

Length: 13.8 km
Average gradient: 5.88%
Max gradient: 14.28%
Start: 8 m
Summit: 817 m
Net gain: 809 m
Total ascent: 835 m
Category: 1