Passo San Giovanni

Overview

Passo San Giovanni is a compact, punchy climb that packs a real sting into a small package. Over just 3 km, the road averages 7.01%, dragging you from a start elevation of 66 m up to a summit of 275 m. That works out to a net elevation gain of 209 m and a total ascent of 178 m once you account for any brief respites along the way. It carries a category 3 rating — not the fearsome hors catégorie tier, but steep enough that you will feel it in your legs and lungs. Think of it as a climb you can attack rather than survive, though attacking a 7.01% average for 3 km is never free.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline average of 7.01% tells only part of the story. The pitch peaks at 10.15%, and a max that far above the mean means the gradient is not evenly spread. Expect the road to stiffen well past 7% in its steeper moments before easing back toward — or below — the average elsewhere. Because the climb is only 3 km long, there is little room to hide from those harder ramps; you carry your effort from bottom to top with few chances to genuinely recover. The gap between the 178 m of total ascent and the 209 m of net gain is modest, which tells you this is a fairly relentless upward drag rather than a rolling profile with false flats.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short, pacing is about controlled aggression. Aim to ride just under your threshold on the shallower sections and accept that the 10.15% pitches will push you above it briefly — that is fine over 3 km, provided you settle back down afterward. Anchor your effort to your FTP: riding the average at a sustainable percentage of threshold keeps you out of trouble before the steepest ramp. If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator first so your target wattage matches the climb rather than your optimism. The key mistake here is going too hard early; a 7.01% average leaves no easy kilometres to claw back time.

Gearing

For a 3 km effort at 7.01% average with spikes to 10.15%, most riders will want a compact setup with a generous cassette. A 34×32 gives you a manageable cadence on the sustained sections and enough range to stay seated when the road tips toward its max. If you climb at a lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for the 10.15% pitch, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket keeps your legs spinning rather than grinding when the gradient bites. Neither is overkill on a climb where the steepest ramp sits more than 3% above the average.

Summary

Passo San Giovanni rewards a smart, punchy ride: pace the 7.01% average, respect the 10.15% max, and let a compact chainset carry you the full 3 km to the top. Short, steep, and satisfying.

Length: 3 km
Average gradient: 7.01%
Max gradient: 10.15%
Start: 66 m
Summit: 275 m
Net gain: 209 m
Total ascent: 178 m
Category: 3