Passo Brizio

Overview

Passo Brizio is a long, category 1 grind that rewards patience over aggression. It runs 22.7 km from a valley floor at 667 m up to a summit at 1956 m, a net gain of 1289 m. The listed average gradient of 5.68% sounds civil, and for long passages it is — but that number hides the climb's real character. This is a road that lets you settle into a rhythm and then, without warning, punches back with a maximum pitch of 38.25%. Over 22.7 km the total ascent measures 1263 m, slightly under the net figure, which tells you the climbing is almost relentlessly upward with little in the way of false flats or descents to recover on.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 5.68% average across 22.7 km is the sort of climb where the arithmetic and the experience diverge sharply. If every metre were uniform you would barely shift out of a comfortable tempo gear. Instead, that average is stitched together from long moderate stretches and short, brutal ramps that spike toward the 38.25% maximum. The near-identical net gain of 1289 m and total ascent of 1263 m confirm there are no meaningful downhill sections to break the effort — you climb, then you climb some more. Expect the shape to be deceptive early on, drawing you into a pace you cannot hold once the steep pitches arrive in the second half.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to spend the bulk of the 22.7 km just below it, leaving headroom for the steep ramps that force you well over threshold whether you like it or not. The gap between the moderate 5.68% average and the 38.25% max means surges are unavoidable, so bank energy on the shallower sections rather than chasing them. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target, then hold something in reserve for the final push toward 1956 m.

Gearing

Gear for the maximum, not the average. A 5.68% mean invites you to bring too big a cassette, but the 38.25% pitches and the 1289 m of vertical will punish anyone under-geared. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 setup is the sensible floor for most riders here; if you climb seated and spin, or if you are carrying fatigue over 22.7 km, step up to a 34×34 for the steep ramps. The wider ratio keeps your cadence alive when the road tips toward its maximum, which matters far more than a marginal loss of top-end speed you will never use on a climb this steep.

Summary

Passo Brizio is a category 1 test of endurance and gearing judgment — long, steep in bursts, and unforgiving once past the halfway mark. Respect the max, gear generously, and pace to your threshold.

Length: 22.7 km
Average gradient: 5.68%
Max gradient: 38.25%
Start: 667 m
Summit: 1956 m
Net gain: 1289 m
Total ascent: 1263 m
Category: 1