Forcella Lagazuoi

Overview

Forcella Lagazuoi is a long, high-altitude category 1 ascent that measures 17.6 km and averages 6.52%. It begins at 984 m and tops out at 2128 m, giving a net elevation gain of 1144 m over the full effort. The total ascent recorded is 1126 m, a hair under the net figure, which tells you this is a relentlessly upward climb with almost no descending relief along the way. At nearly 17.6 km of near-continuous climbing, this is an endurance test as much as a strength test, and the thin air toward the 2128 m summit only sharpens the challenge.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline average of 6.52% is honest but understates the sharpest moments: the steepest pitch bites at 15.84%, more than double the mean. With total ascent of 1126 m spread across 17.6 km, the climb sits in that demanding middle band where the gradient rarely lets you coast but occasionally spikes hard. Expect long stretches that hover near the 6.52% average, punctuated by ramps that lurch toward that 15.84% maximum. The gap between the 984 m base and the 2128 m top is 1144 m of vertical, and because the total ascent (1126 m) so closely tracks that net gain, there are effectively no flat or downhill sections to recover your legs. Plan your effort as one sustained arc rather than a series of separate walls.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a steady, sustainable output through the 6.52% stretches, keeping a reserve for the ramps that approach 15.84%. Surging on every steep pitch will cost you dearly across 17.6 km and 1144 m of gain. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target power. As you approach the 2128 m summit, altitude will quietly trim your ceiling, so bank a little patience for the final kilometres.

Gearing

With an average of 6.52% dragging on for 17.6 km and spikes to 15.84%, generous gearing pays for itself. A 34×32 is a reasonable minimum for strong climbers who can turn a bigger gear on the sustained sections. Most riders will be far happier with a 34×34, which keeps cadence up on the steepest ramps and protects the legs across a 1144 m ascent. Given the climb tops out at 2128 m, the extra range of the 34×34 is cheap insurance for tired legs in thin air.

Summary

Forcella Lagazuoi is a genuine category 1 haul: 17.6 km of sustained climbing at 6.52%, a maximum of 15.84%, and 1144 m separating the 984 m base from the 2128 m summit. Pace it as one long effort, gear low, and respect the altitude.

Length: 17.6 km
Average gradient: 6.52%
Max gradient: 15.84%
Start: 984 m
Summit: 2128 m
Net gain: 1144 m
Total ascent: 1126 m
Category: 1