Marco Alvare

Overview

Marco Alvare is a category-2 climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over 10.1 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 174 m to a summit at 632 m, a net gain of 458 m at an average gradient of 4.54%. The total ascent measured along the road comes to 440 m, which tells you the climb rolls a little rather than dragging you upward in one unbroken ramp. This is not a wall — it is a long, honest effort where the metronome matters more than the match.

At just over 4.5% on average, Marco Alvare sits firmly in the "sustainable tempo" band. But the max gradient of 7.92% is a reminder that the average hides some texture. Ride it smart and it feels almost pleasant; ride it greedy and those steeper pitches will make you pay before the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story of Marco Alvare is written in the gap between its average and its maximum. A 4.54% mean over 10.1 km is gentle enough that many riders could sit and grind, yet the 7.92% peak means there are ramps roughly three points steeper than the number you planned around.

Because the total ascent (440 m) is slightly less than the net gain (458 m) would imply for a purely uphill road, expect brief flatter breathers where you can recover and shift up. Those easier stretches are where you bank a little energy for the sharper 7.92% kicks. Treat the climb as a sequence: cruise the shallow sections, brace for the steep ones, and never let the effort spike unnecessarily on the easy grades.

Pacing Notes

The single most useful number for pacing Marco Alvare is your FTP. At an average of 4.54%, this is a climb you can hold at a steady sub-threshold effort — aim for a percentage of FTP you can sustain for the full 10.1 km rather than the punchy surges you'd use on a shorter, steeper wall.

If you don't have a recent threshold figure, run a quick check with the FTP estimator before you ride. Set your target for the shallow majority of the climb, then allow a small, controlled lift over the 7.92% pitches — just enough to keep cadence, not enough to redline. The goal on a 458 m ascent like this is to cross the summit at 632 m with your effort curve flat, not blown apart on the last steep ramp.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.54% with pitches up to 7.92%, a compact setup is plenty for most riders. A 34×32 lowest gear will let you spin the steeper sections at a comfortable cadence without grinding. If you carry extra load, ride tired, or simply prefer to twiddle, step up to a 34×34 for a touch more insurance on the 7.92% ramps. Either way, keep something in reserve — the length matters more than any single gradient here.

Summary

Marco Alvare is a category-2 climb best raced with patience: a long, mostly steady 10.1 km pull with just enough steepness to keep you honest. Pace to your FTP, gear for the ramps, and you'll top out at 632 m feeling strong.

Length: 10.1 km
Average gradient: 4.54%
Max gradient: 7.92%
Start: 174 m
Summit: 632 m
Net gain: 458 m
Total ascent: 440 m
Category: 2