Passo della Lazza

Overview

Passo della Lazza is a short climb that refuses to feel short. Over just 3.9 km it drags you from a start elevation of 428 m up to a summit at 798 m, a net gain of 370 m packed into a punishingly compact distance. The average gradient is 9.38%, which is steep enough on its own, but the road bites harder in places, ramping to a maximum of 15.21%. This is a Category 2 ascent, and while that sits below the Category 1 and hors catégorie monsters, the relentless pitch means it earns every bit of its rating. There is nowhere to hide and nothing gentle about it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Lazza is consistency of pain. With an average of 9.38% across 3.9 km, there are no meaningful flat sections to recover on. The climb's total ascent of 348 m is slightly less than the 370 m net gain, which tells you the road climbs almost continuously rather than rolling up and down. The steepest ramp reaches 15.21%, roughly 5.83 percentage points above the average, so expect the gradient to swing upward sharply on the harshest pitches before settling back toward that stubborn nine-percent baseline. Read the road ahead and brace for the kicks rather than being caught flat-footed.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep and this short, pacing is about discipline, not patience. The whole effort is only 3.9 km, so the temptation is to attack from the base, but a climb averaging 9.38% will expose an over-cooked start long before the summit. Aim to ride the early slopes at or just below your FTP, holding something in reserve for the 15.21% ramps where your power will naturally spike. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, then convert that figure into a target you can actually sustain for the roughly fifteen-to-twenty-minute duration this climb demands. Steady, repeatable power beats heroics every time here.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. With a sustained 9.38% average and pitches touching 15.21%, most riders will want the widest range they can fit. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is a sensible baseline for strong climbers, giving you a low enough ratio to keep cadence up on the average slopes. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude, or simply prefer to spin, step up to 34×34 so the steepest ramps do not force you into a grind. The difference between 34×32 and 34×34 is small on paper but decisive when the road tilts into the mid-teens. Choose the easier option if in doubt.

Summary

Passo della Lazza is a concentrated dose of steep. In 3.9 km it delivers a 370 m net gain at a 9.38% average, punctuated by ramps as sharp as 15.21%. Gear low, pace with discipline, and treat its Category 2 label with respect.

Length: 3.9 km
Average gradient: 9.38%
Max gradient: 15.21%
Start: 428 m
Summit: 798 m
Net gain: 370 m
Total ascent: 348 m
Category: 2