Foce Bertagna

Overview

Foce Bertagna is a category-1 climb that asks a serious question of your legs: 12.8 km of continuous ascent at an average gradient of 7.21%. From a start elevation of 129 m it hauls you up to a 1053 m summit, a net elevation gain of 924 m. The total ascent logged is 908 m, which tells you this is an honest climb — the road points relentlessly upward with only the faintest reprieves. There is nothing gentle here to hide behind. At an average of 7.21% held over nearly 13 km, this is the kind of effort that rewards patience and punishes anyone who treats the lower slopes like the finale.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is the 7.21% average, but averages flatten the story. The maximum gradient touches 15.39%, more than double the average, which means the climb hoards its steepest sections into short, sharp walls rather than spreading the pain evenly. Expect the road to sit around and above the 7.21% mark for long stretches, then rear up toward that 15.39% pitch where the gradient more than doubles. Because the summit sits at 1053 m and the road only gains 924 m in net terms over 12.8 km, the profile stays consistently loaded — there are no long descents to reset your legs. Read the road ahead: when it kicks toward the double-digit ramps, that is the moment to protect your rhythm rather than chase it.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, the single biggest mistake is starting too hard. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to spend the bulk of the 12.8 km just below or around threshold, holding a sustainable output rather than surging on every ramp. When the gradient spikes toward 15.39%, let your power drift up briefly, then settle back to your target as the slope eases toward the 7.21% average. If you do not know your threshold number yet, run it through the FTP estimator before you ride so your pacing plan is built on real data instead of guesswork. With 924 m of climbing to distribute, a steady, slightly conservative first third buys you the legs to hold form all the way to 1053 m.

Gearing

With an average of 7.21% and ramps hitting 15.39%, compact gearing is strongly recommended. A 34×32 is the sensible floor for most riders and will cover the sustained 7.21% sections comfortably. But given the 15.39% walls and the sheer length — 12.8 km and 924 m of gain — a 34×34 is the smarter choice if you can fit it, giving you a bail-out gear for the steepest pitches so you can keep your cadence up rather than grinding to a standstill. On a climb this long, the extra sprocket protects your knees and your morale.

Summary

Foce Bertagna is a proper category-1 test: long, steep, and unbroken. Ride within yourself on the lower slopes, respect the 15.39% ramps, and gear low enough to spin. Do that, and the 1053 m summit is yours.

Length: 12.8 km
Average gradient: 7.21%
Max gradient: 15.39%
Start: 129 m
Summit: 1053 m
Net gain: 924 m
Total ascent: 908 m
Category: 1