Forcella Buse Todesche

Overview

Forcella Buse Todesche is a long, steady effort that rewards patience over punch. At 23.2 km with an average gradient of 5.35%, it earns its Category 1 rating not through a single brutal wall but through sheer sustained duration. You begin at 369 m and finish at 1609 m, a net elevation gain of 1240 m spread across the full length of the climb. The total ascent of 1283 m tells you there are brief downhill or flat interludes woven in — roughly 43 m of that ascent is "extra" metres re-climbed after short dips. This is a climb you settle into, not one you attack.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number, 5.35% average, is honest but incomplete. A max gradient of 15.21% means there are pitches nearly three times steeper than the mean, so the road is far from uniform. Expect the classic shape of a long climb: stretches that sit comfortably below the average where you can recover, punctuated by sharper ramps that spike toward that 15.21% maximum. Because total ascent (1283 m) exceeds net gain (1240 m), the profile includes small false flats or descents where you briefly give back elevation before resuming the grind. Reading the gradient rather than the average is the key to not blowing up.

Pacing Notes

Over 23.2 km, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to hold a sustainable percentage of it for the full duration rather than surging on every ramp. On the shallower sections, ease off and let your heart rate settle; save your matches for the pitches climbing toward 15.21%. If you do not know your current threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target — a climb this long will punish anyone who starts 20 watts too rich. Fuel and drink early and often; 1240 m of net climbing takes real time in the saddle.

Gearing

With a 5.35% average stretched over 23.2 km and ramps hitting 15.21%, gearing generosity pays off. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steady sections and over the shorter steep pitches. But for the steepest ramps near 15.21% — especially late in the climb once fatigue from 1240 m of gain has accumulated — a 34×34 gives you a spinnable escape gear that protects your knees and your composure. If your bike accepts it, fit the 34×34; you will rarely regret having one more cog.

Summary

Forcella Buse Todesche is a Category 1 climb defined by its length and steadiness rather than any single savage gradient. Pace it to your threshold, gear low for the ramps, and let the 23.2 km come to you.

Length: 23.2 km
Average gradient: 5.35%
Max gradient: 15.21%
Start: 369 m
Summit: 1609 m
Net gain: 1240 m
Total ascent: 1283 m
Category: 1