Valico del Macerone

Overview

Valico del Macerone is a 10 km category-3 ascent that trades ferocity for patience. It begins at 335 m and tops out at 689 m, a net gain of 354 m across the full distance. The average gradient reads a mellow 3.54%, which places this firmly in the "tempo climb" bracket rather than the leg-breaker category. That number is honest but incomplete: a single ramp reaches 8.19%, so the profile is not the metronomic drag its mean might suggest. Think of it as a long, rolling effort with one moment that demands you actually pay attention.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With 354 m of net elevation spread over 10 km, the math works out to a climb that rarely intimidates. A 3.54% average means long stretches where you can hold a rhythm, breathe, and even sit up. But the gap between the 3.54% average and the 8.19% maximum tells the real story: somewhere on this climb, the road pitches to more than double its typical slope. That 8.19% ramp is where a comfortable tempo can quietly unravel if you have spent your matches early. The total ascent of 345 m sits just under the 354 m net figure, confirming there is little rolling relief on the way up — this is a climb that mostly points upward and stays there.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is modest, the temptation is to hammer the lower slopes. Resist it. Ride the bulk of the climb slightly under your FTP, leaving headroom for the 8.19% ramp where the gradient more than doubles. On a climb this steady, small pacing errors compound over 10 km, so aim for an effort you could sustain to the summit without a single surge, then spend that reserve on the steep pitch. If you are not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. Steady beats spiky here every time.

Gearing

The 3.54% average does not require exotic gearing, but the 8.19% maximum rewards having one gear in reserve. A compact crankset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 will carry most riders comfortably up the steady sections and cover the steep ramp without cadence collapse. If you climb at lower cadences, prefer easier gearing, or simply want insurance for the 8.19% pitch after 354 m of accumulated climbing, step up to a 34×34. Neither is overkill on a category-3 effort — the goal is to keep your legs spinning rather than grinding when the road briefly bites.

Summary

Valico del Macerone is an approachable, honest climb: long enough to matter, gentle enough to enjoy, with a single steep moment to keep you sharp. Pace it patiently, gear it sensibly, and the summit at 689 m arrives sooner than the numbers threaten.

Length: 10 km
Average gradient: 3.54%
Max gradient: 8.19%
Start: 335 m
Summit: 689 m
Net gain: 354 m
Total ascent: 345 m
Category: 3