Passo Gioiche

Overview

Passo Gioiche is a long, steady category 1 climb that rewards patience over punch. Over 20.4 km it lifts you from a valley floor at 93 m to a summit of 1141 m, a net gain of 1048 m. The average gradient sits at 5.13%, which places it firmly in the sustained-tempo bracket rather than the wall-storming category. That length is the defining feature: at more than 20 km, this is a climb measured in tens of minutes, not the short violence of a HC ramp. Total ascent comes in at 1041 m, close to the net figure, telling you the road climbs almost continuously with little relief rolling.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 5.13% average across 20.4 km sounds gentle, and for long stretches it is. But the max gradient of 10.02% is nearly double that average, so the climb hides its teeth in specific ramps rather than spreading difficulty evenly. Expect the profile to breathe: shallower drags where you can hold speed, punctuated by pitches that bite toward that 10% ceiling. Because total ascent (1041 m) tracks so closely to the net gain (1048 m), there are effectively no descents to recover on. Every kilometre is climbing, so the mental model is a metronome, not a series of sprints. Save something for the steeper sections rather than burning matches early on the flatter lower slopes.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing discipline decides your day. Target an effort you can sustain for the full 20.4 km — for most riders that means settling just below threshold and holding it. Anchor your effort to your FTP: riding the shallower sections at a controlled percentage of FTP leaves headroom for the ramps approaching 10.02%. If you don't know your number, run the FTP estimator before your attempt so you can set realistic power or heart-rate ceilings. The single biggest mistake here is going too hard in the first few kilometres while the gradient feels easy; with 1048 m still to climb, an early overshoot will cost you dearly on the steeper upper pitches. Ride the average, respect the spikes.

Gearing

For a 20.4 km climb averaging 5.13% with ramps to 10.02%, prioritise a bailout gear you can spin. A 34×32 is a sensible baseline for strong riders comfortable grinding the steeper sections seated. If you climb at a higher cadence, carry more fatigue, or simply want insurance for the 10% pitches deep into a 1048 m ascent, a 34×34 gives you that extra margin without penalty. The length matters more than the peak here — you'll be turning the pedals for a long time, so err toward the easier setup. Spinning a 34×34 up the ramps beats mashing a 34×32 into the red.

Summary

Passo Gioiche is a climb of endurance and rhythm: 20.4 km of near-continuous ascent, a manageable 5.13% average, and just enough steepness at 10.02% to keep you honest. Pace it evenly, gear for the spikes, and let the length do the work of tiring your rivals.

Length: 20.4 km
Average gradient: 5.13%
Max gradient: 10.02%
Start: 93 m
Summit: 1141 m
Net gain: 1048 m
Total ascent: 1041 m
Category: 1