Ezkisaroi Lepoa

Overview

Ezkisaroi Lepoa is a category 2 climb that packs a genuine punch into a compact 6 km. From a start elevation of 72 m it lifts you to a summit at 430 m, a net elevation gain of 358 m over a recorded total ascent of 344 m. The average gradient of 5.96% sits in that deceptively hard band — steep enough to hurt over a sustained effort, but not so relentless that you can simply grind it out on autopilot. With a maximum pitch of 12.27%, there is a sting somewhere in the middle that will test how well you have judged the earlier kilometres.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The maths tells the story of this climb's shape. A 6 km stretch gaining 358 m nets out to that 5.96% average, but the 12.27% maximum is more than double the mean — proof that the road is far from uniform. Expect the gradient to pulse between mellower ramps and sharper walls rather than hold one steady angle. The gap between the 358 m net gain and the 344 m of total ascent is small, which tells you there is little in the way of false-flat or descending relief once you are climbing: this is a road that keeps pointing upward. Ride the early slopes conservatively, because the steepest 12.27% section will extract far more from tired legs than fresh ones.

Pacing Notes

Treat Ezkisaroi Lepoa as a threshold-length effort. At 6 km, most riders will be on the climb somewhere between a hard 20 and 35 minutes, which places the whole ascent right around your FTP. Anchor your pacing to that power rather than to feel: hold a touch below threshold on the 5.96% average sections so you have headroom when the road rears up to 12.27%. If you do not know your threshold number, run your figures through the FTP estimator before you tackle this one, then aim to keep your steepest-pitch surges brief so you settle back to a sustainable rhythm quickly afterward. Going into the red early on a climb this short is punishing — the 358 m of gain does not leave room to recover.

Gearing

For a 6 km climb averaging 5.96% with pitches to 12.27%, err toward more range than you think you need. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is the sensible baseline for most fit riders, giving you a spinnable cadence across the sustained slopes. If you weigh more, ride at altitude, or simply prefer to protect your knees on the steep ramps, step down to a 34×34 — that extra sprocket is cheap insurance against grinding to a crawl on the 12.27% wall. Both setups let you keep the pedals turning rather than lurching out of the saddle.

Summary

Ezkisaroi Lepoa rewards riders who respect its shape: pace the 5.96% average, save something for the 12.27% max, and let smart gearing carry you the last of the 358 m.

Length: 6 km
Average gradient: 5.96%
Max gradient: 12.27%
Start: 72 m
Summit: 430 m
Net gain: 358 m
Total ascent: 344 m
Category: 2