Valico della Mola

Overview

Valico della Mola is a category 2 climb that packs a genuine test into 7.3 km. From a start elevation of 189 m it lifts you to a summit at 653 m, a net gain of 464 m at an average gradient of 6.38%. That average tells only part of the story: the steepest ramp reaches 9.67%, so this is a climb with teeth rather than a steady drag. With a total ascent of 444 m recorded across its rolling profile, the Mola rewards riders who respect the numbers early and hold something back for the harder pitches.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is the gap between the 6.38% average and the 9.67% maximum. A climb that averaged its steepest gradient would be brutal from bottom to top, but the Mola instead mixes sustained mid-single-digit grades with sharper kicks. Expect stretches that sit close to the 6.38% mean, punctuated by ramps that surge toward the max and force a change of rhythm. Because the net gain of 464 m slightly exceeds the total ascent of 444 m, the road climbs almost relentlessly upward with little relief, meaning very few false flats where you can freewheel and recover.

Pacing Notes

Over 7.3 km at 6.38%, pacing by effort beats pacing by feel. Anchor your ride to your FTP and aim to spend the sustained sections just under threshold, saving the headroom above it for the 9.67% ramps. If you burn matches on the early pitches, the back half of the 464 m of climbing will punish you. Riders who do not know their number should run the FTP estimator first, then set a target wattage they can hold for the full climb. On the steepest kicks, let cadence drop briefly rather than surging your power spike well past threshold — a short, controlled effort over the max ramp costs far less than an overcooked attack you pay for across the remaining kilometres.

Gearing

For a 7.3 km climb averaging 6.38% with pitches to 9.67%, most riders will want a compact setup with a generous cassette. A 34×32 gives you a manageable spin through the sustained sections and keeps cadence high enough to protect your legs. On the 9.67% ramps, though, that gear can feel heavy once fatigue sets in over the 464 m of gain — so if your legs or your climbing efficiency err on the conservative side, a 34×34 buys you extra spinning room to stay seated and keep the effort aerobic. Choosing 34×34 over 34×32 costs almost nothing on the shallower grades and can save your climb on the steepest ones.

Summary

Valico della Mola is a compact, honest category 2 climb: 7.3 km of near-continuous ascent, a firm 6.38% average, and ramps to 9.67% that demand disciplined pacing and sensible gearing. Ride the average, respect the max, and the 464 m of gain up to the 653 m summit will feel earned rather than survived.

Length: 7.3 km
Average gradient: 6.38%
Max gradient: 9.67%
Start: 189 m
Summit: 653 m
Net gain: 464 m
Total ascent: 444 m
Category: 2