Forcella Racli

Overview

Forcella Racli is a long, patient category 1 climb that rewards riders who can hold a rhythm. Over its full 26.8 km it gains 1122 m of net elevation, lifting you from a valley floor at 200 m to a summit of 1322 m. The average gradient reads a modest 4.18%, but that single figure hides the truth of the ascent: at 26.8 km this is an endurance effort, not a short punch, and the 21.33% maximum tells you the road does not stay gentle everywhere.

With a total ascent of 1154 m against a net gain of 1122 m, there are small dips or false flats along the way — roughly 32 m of extra climbing tucked into brief descents or level stretches. It is the kind of profile that lets you settle in, but never quite lets you switch off.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining tension of Forcella Racli is the gap between its average and its maximum. A 4.18% average over 26.8 km is a gradient most fit riders can sustain for a long time. But a 21.33% pitch is a wall — nearly five times the average — and it means the effort is spread unevenly across the climb.

Expect the road to breathe: shallow ramps and near-flat sections where you can recover and drink, punctuated by steeper kicks where the gradient jumps well into double digits. The 32 m difference between total ascent (1154 m) and net gain (1122 m) confirms those undulations. Treat the average as a planning tool, not a promise — the steep pitches, capped at 21.33%, are where the climb is won or lost.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to a percentage of your FTP and hold it steady through the shallow kilometres rather than surging. If you don't know your number, run the FTP estimator before you plan the day.

Because the average is only 4.18%, it is tempting to push hard early — resist that. Save headroom for the 21.33% pitches, where power spikes are unavoidable and you'll briefly exceed your target. The goal across 26.8 km is a controlled climb: steady on the flats, measured over the walls, with enough in reserve to reach 1322 m without cracking.

Gearing

For 26.8 km and a peak of 21.33%, gear for the steep pitches, not the average. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 low gear will get most trained riders over the hardest ramps, but on a climb with a 21.33% maximum and 1122 m to grind out, a 34×34 gives real insurance — an easier bailout for tired legs deep into the effort. If your legs or loaded weight suggest doubt, take the 34×34. Spinning a low gear at high cadence protects your climb far better than muscling a big one over the steep sections.

Summary

Forcella Racli is a genuine test of endurance and pacing: 26.8 km, a deceptively mild 4.18% average, and a savage 21.33% maximum that demands both patience and low gears. Climb it smart and the 1322 m summit is well within reach.

Length: 26.8 km
Average gradient: 4.18%
Max gradient: 21.33%
Start: 200 m
Summit: 1322 m
Net gain: 1122 m
Total ascent: 1154 m
Category: 1