Col de Teghime

Overview

Col de Teghime sits in Corsica's northern interior and earns its Category 2 rating honestly. The climb runs 7.1 km from sea level — a start elevation of 0 m — to a summit at 505 m, accumulating 880 m of total ascent. That total ascent figure being notably higher than the raw elevation gain reflects the road's undulating nature: you earn more vertical metres than the summit differential alone suggests.

The average gradient of 7.1% is sustained enough to be honest work throughout, but it's the maximum of 17.33% that demands respect. Sections at that pitch will punish anyone who has spent their matches early.

Gradient Profile

Starting from the coast at zero elevation gives the climb an unusual character — there is no gentle valley approach. The road rises immediately, and the lower third tends to establish a rhythm in the 6–8% range that can feel manageable but is quietly depleting.

The middle section is where the climb consolidates its difficulty. Sustained pitches accumulate the bulk of the 880 m total ascent here, and it is easy to over-pace relative to what the upper third demands.

The maximum gradient of 17.33% appears in the upper reaches. At nearly double the average, these ramps are severe enough to force many riders out of the saddle regardless of gearing. They are short in absolute terms but arrive when fatigue is already compounding.

Pacing Notes

The sea-level start is deceptive. There is no descent or flat run-in to allow a gradual warm-up at race pace — you are climbing from the first pedal stroke. Treat the opening kilometres as an extended threshold effort rather than an attack.

• Target power: Aim to hold a sustainable fraction of your FTP across the lower and middle sections. If you don't know your FTP precisely, the FTP estimator gives a working figure before you pin a number to the climb.
• The 17.33% ramps: Do not attempt to maintain the same power output on these pitches that you held on 7% gradients. Cadence will drop; accept it or stand and push through. Burning too deep here with kilometres remaining is the most common error on climbs with late gradient spikes.
• Total ascent vs. summit elevation: The 880 m of total ascent against a 505 m summit tells you the road has false flats or slight descents woven in. Use any brief recovery sections to lower heart rate and replenish, rather than to accelerate.

Gearing

For a 7.1% average with peaks at 17.33%, a compact chainset (50/34 or 46/30) combined with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette is the practical choice for most riders. A standard 53/39 is workable for strong climbers on the moderate sections but becomes a liability on the steepest pitches.

If you are riding a road compact setup, confirm your lowest gear ratio before departure — walking a Corsican mountain road is an unpleasant alternative.

Summary

Col de Teghime is a legitimate Category 2 effort: long enough to require pacing discipline, steep enough in its hardest passages to test both strength and gearing, and unusual in that it begins at sea level with no elevation buffer. Respect the average, prepare for the maximum, and account for the full 880 m of climbing when estimating your energy demands.