Forchia grande

Overview

Forchia grande is a genuine hors catégorie test: 16.9 km of continuous climbing that lifts you from a start elevation of 420 m to a 1602 m summit. That is 1182 m of net elevation gain, with 1216 m of total ascent once the small dips and recoveries are counted in. The average gradient sits at 6.98%, but averages flatter the truth here — a maximum pitch of 19.11% means this is a climb of teeth, not a steady drag. At this length and this steepness, the HC rating is earned rather than generous.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is 6.98%, but the story lives in the gap between that average and the 19.11% maximum. A climb that never strays far from its mean would feel metronomic; Forchia grande does not. Expect long stretches near the average punctuated by sharp ramps that spike well into the teens. Because total ascent (1216 m) exceeds net gain (1182 m) by only a small margin, there is little in the way of downhill relief — the 34 m of difference tells you the road tilts up almost the whole way. Practically, that means almost every one of the 16.9 km is working against you, and the steep sections arrive without the reward of a descent to recover on.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Your sustainable ceiling is set by your FTP — the power you can hold for roughly an hour. Forchia grande will likely take longer than an hour for most riders, so target an effort just under threshold on the average-gradient sections and accept that the 19.11% ramps will punch you briefly over it. Spend that surplus knowingly, then settle back. If you are unsure of your number, run it through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace over 16.9 km. Going out hard on the lower slopes is the classic error here: with 1182 m still to climb, the summit at 1602 m punishes anyone who overspent early.

Gearing

Gear for the ramps, not the average. At 6.98% a moderate compact setup would cope, but the 19.11% maximum is what dictates your smallest cog. A 34×32 is the practical minimum for most fit riders, giving you a low enough ratio to spin the average pitches without grinding. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude near the 1602 m summit, or simply want to protect your knees across 16.9 km, step up to a 34×34. The extra range costs nothing on the shallower sections and buys you a survivable cadence when the road kicks into the high teens.

Summary

Forchia grande is a long, unrelenting HC climb where the 6.98% average hides ramps to 19.11%. Pace it under threshold, gear low, and respect the full 1182 m of net gain.

Length: 16.9 km
Average gradient: 6.98%
Max gradient: 19.11%
Start: 420 m
Summit: 1602 m
Net gain: 1182 m
Total ascent: 1216 m
Category: HC