Ezpatza

Overview

Ezpatza is a Category 1 climb that means business. Over 9.1 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 52 m to a summit of 718 m, a net gain of 666 m of vertical. The average gradient sits at 7.33%, which is steep enough that there is almost nowhere to truly recover — this is a sustained effort, not a rolling drag with a token ramp at the end. With a maximum slope of 16.12%, Ezpatza has at least one moment that will force you out of the saddle and remind you why Category 1 exists just below the hors catégorie tier.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The key to reading Ezpatza is the gap between its 7.33% average and its 16.12% maximum. That spread tells you the climb is not uniform: for the average to land where it does, long stretches must hold close to 7% while short pitches spike toward 16%. Expect to settle into a rhythm on the sustained sections, then have that rhythm broken by steeper ramps that nearly double the gradient underfoot.

It is also worth noting the difference between the 666 m of net gain and the 645 m of total ascent — a 21 m discrepancy that hints at brief flatter or gently rising respite where you can shift up and breathe before the road tilts again. Those small reprieves are where you reset your legs for the next pitch.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this steep, discipline early pays dividends late. Ride the first kilometres a notch below what feels comfortable, because 9.1 km at 7.33% will punish anyone who burns matches on the opening ramps. Anchor your effort to your FTP: aim to sit just below threshold on the sustained sections and allow yourself to drift above it only on the steepest pitches near the 16.12% maximum, where holding a steady wattage is impossible anyway.

If you are not sure what your threshold actually is, run your recent numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your pacing. Knowing that figure turns a guessing game into a clear power target across the full 666 m of climbing.

Gearing

Gear for the maximum, not the average. A 34×32 bottom gear will get most fit riders up the sustained 7.33% sections, but the 16.12% pinch is exactly where a 34×32 can leave you grinding at an unsustainable cadence. If you have any doubt about your climbing legs — or you simply want to spin rather than heave over the steep ramps — fit a 34×34. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence alive on the hardest metres and protects your knees across a climb that gains 666 m in one go. For a Category 1 effort of this length, err toward the easier setup; you will never regret having one more gear in reserve.

Summary

Ezpatza is a genuine test: nearly nine and a half kilometres of climbing that rarely relents, punctuated by a maximum slope that demands respect. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the summit at 718 m is well within reach.

Length: 9.1 km
Average gradient: 7.33%
Max gradient: 16.12%
Start: 52 m
Summit: 718 m
Net gain: 666 m
Total ascent: 645 m
Category: 1