Sella di Leonessa

Overview

Sella di Leonessa is a genuine hors catégorie effort, and the numbers make no apologies. Over 25 km of road you climb from 379 m to a summit at 1898 m, a net gain of 1519 m at an average gradient of 6.08%. The total ascent of 1497 m confirms this is very nearly a one-way haul upward, with little in the way of respite descending along the route. This is the kind of climb that rewards patience over ambition: an hour or more of sustained work where the average tells only part of the story, because a max gradient of 25% lurks somewhere in that 25 km.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 6.08% average across 25 km sounds steady, almost civilised. It is not, and the max gradient of 25% is proof. When a climb's steepest ramp sits more than 18 points above its average, you know the gradient is anything but uniform. Expect shallower stretches that flatter your legs and let your speed creep up, punctuated by pitches that spike hard and force you out of rhythm. The net gain of 1519 m against a total ascent of 1497 m tells you the road climbs almost continuously, so there are no long recovery descents to reset on. Read the road ahead, brace for the ramps, and treat every easing gradient as borrowed time rather than a gift.

Pacing Notes

The single biggest mistake on a climb this long is starting too hard. With 25 km and 1519 m to absorb, your first pedal strokes should feel almost too easy. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold well below it on the shallower sections so you have headroom when the gradient bites toward 25%. If you don't know your current threshold, run your recent numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target — pacing an HC climb off a guess is how good days unravel. Aim to finish the final kilometres to 1898 m still able to push, not merely survive.

Gearing

At 25 km averaging 6.08% with ramps to 25%, gearing is not a place to be macho. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible floor here. A 34×32 will get most riders up the steadier gradients, but on the steepest pitches you'll be grinding at low cadence. For the 25% ramps, a 34×34 gives you the extra margin to spin rather than lurch, protecting your legs across the full 1519 m of gain. If your setup allows an even easier bailout gear, bring it — you'll never regret spare teeth on an HC climb.

Summary

Sella di Leonessa is a long, honest HC test: 25 km of climbing, 1519 m of net gain, and a 25% sting to keep you humble. Pace it conservatively, gear it generously, and the summit at 1898 m is yours.

Length: 25 km
Average gradient: 6.08%
Max gradient: 25%
Start: 379 m
Summit: 1898 m
Net gain: 1519 m
Total ascent: 1497 m
Category: HC