La Hourquette d'Ancizan

Overview

La Hourquette d'Ancizan is a Category 1 climb in the French Pyrenees, rising from 706 m at the base to a summit of 1,545 m. The road covers 13.7 km with a net elevation gain of 839 m and a total ascent of 1,544 m — a figure that hints at subtle undulations along the way. The average gradient of 6.13% is honest without being relentless, but a maximum gradient of 28.6% confirms this climb carries at least one brutal sting in its tail.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 6.13% average across 13.7 km, the overall character is steady and sustained — the kind of effort that rewards patience and punishes early aggression. That average, however, is skewed by sections of lesser gradient, which means certain ramps are considerably steeper than the mean suggests.

The 28.6% maximum is an outlier by any standard. For context, that figure approaches the steepest gradients found anywhere in professional racing. A ramp of that severity almost certainly occupies a short, discrete section rather than a sustained stretch — but it demands full respect. Hit it with depleted legs or the wrong gear and the consequences range from grinding to a standstill to unclipping entirely.

Gradient Summary

• Length: 13.7 km
• Average gradient: 6.13%
• Maximum gradient: 28.6%
• Net elevation gain: 839 m
• Total ascent: 1,544 m
• Category: 1

Pacing Strategy

The Category 1 classification earns its label here. A 13.7 km effort at 6.13% average is long enough to erode your FTP reserves well before the summit if you set out too fast. Use the early kilometres to settle into a rhythm at or just below threshold. You can use the FTP estimator to calculate a sustainable wattage target before the ride.

The total ascent figure of 1,544 m versus the net gain of 839 m suggests you may encounter short descents or flat recoveries mid-climb. Resist the temptation to push harder on those sections — treat them as active recovery and protect your legs for what comes next.

When the 28.6% ramp arrives, the only viable approach is to have gearing low enough to keep the pedals turning at all. Standing may feel instinctive, but on a gradient that severe, seated climbing is more efficient if your cadence can be maintained above roughly 60 rpm. If you find yourself mashing at 40 rpm out of the saddle, your gearing is too hard.

Gearing Notes

• A compact chainset (50/34) with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette is the pragmatic choice for most riders.
• If you are running a standard double (53/39), ensure your cassette reaches at least 32 teeth — the 28.6% maximum will expose any gearing shortfall immediately.
• 1x drivetrains should carry a cassette with at least a 36-tooth sprocket.
• Recce your gearing against the maximum gradient before committing to a setup. Being one or two sprockets short on a 28.6% slope is a different problem from being short on a 10% climb.

Bottom Line

La Hourquette d'Ancizan rewards riders who respect the numbers. The average gradient is manageable; the maximum is not. Treat the 13.7 km as a long tempo effort with one violent interruption built into it, gear accordingly, and pace conservatively from the bottom.