Leziagako lepoa

Overview

Leziagako lepoa is a category 1 climb that asks for patience before it asks for power. Over 14.6 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 113 m to a summit at 968 m, a net gain of 855 m at an average gradient of 5.86%. The total ascent comes in slightly lower at 837 m, which tells you the road briefly relents in a few places rather than climbing relentlessly the whole way. This is a long effort by any measure, and with a maximum gradient of 15.03% it hides some genuinely steep teeth inside an otherwise steady average.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The single most useful thing to understand here is the gap between the average and the maximum. A 5.86% average across 14.6 km is a rhythm climb, the kind you can settle into and hold. But a peak of 15.03% is more than two and a half times that average, so the climb is clearly not uniform. Expect stretches that sit comfortably under the average, balanced out by ramps that push well into double digits. The small difference between the 855 m net gain and the 837 m total ascent confirms there are short recovery sections where the road flattens or dips a touch. Read those as your chances to breathe before the next pitch.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, the enemy is starting too hard. The 14.6 km distance means your effort is measured in tens of minutes, not seconds, so anchor your pacing to your sustainable power rather than feel. Aim to sit near or just under your FTP on the steady 5.86% sections, then allow short surges above it to carry you over the 15.03% ramps without stalling. The steep pitches are where riders blow up, so spin them rather than muscle them, and recover on the flatter portions. If you are not sure what number to target, run your figures through the FTP estimator first and pace to that. Banking effort early on a 855 m ascent almost never pays off.

Gearing

With an average of 5.86% dragging out over 14.6 km and spikes to 15.03%, gearing generosity is your friend. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will handle the sustained gradient comfortably and keep your cadence honest on the long middle section. For the 15.03% ramps, or if you are carrying fatigue late in the 855 m of climbing, a 34×34 gives you that extra rescue gear to keep spinning rather than grinding to a standstill. Given the length, err toward the easier setup.

Summary

Leziagako lepoa is a rewarding category 1 test: long, mostly steady, with sharp ramps that demand respect and smart gearing. Pace it to your FTP, save something for the steep pitches, and the 968 m summit is well within reach.

Length: 14.6 km
Average gradient: 5.86%
Max gradient: 15.03%
Start: 113 m
Summit: 968 m
Net gain: 855 m
Total ascent: 837 m
Category: 1