Zudaireko mendate berria

Overview

Zudaireko mendate berria is a 7.2 km category 2 climb that lifts you from a start elevation of 508 m to a summit of 912 m. That works out to a net elevation gain of 404 m, with a total ascent of 394 m once the minor rolling sections are accounted for. The average gradient sits at 5.58%, and the steepest ramp tops out at 7.88%. This is the kind of climb that rewards rhythm: long enough to matter, steady enough to settle into, and never so brutal that it forces you out of the saddle for extended stretches.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining trait here is consistency. With an average of 5.58% spread across 7.2 km, and a maximum of only 7.88%, the gap between the mean and the peak is narrow — just 2.3 percentage points. That tells you the climb rarely spikes. There are no wall-like pitches to shatter your cadence, but there is also nowhere to truly recover; the road keeps pointing up. Expect the gradient to hover around the mid-5% range for most of the ascent, drifting toward that 7.88% ceiling on the harder ramps before easing back. Because the net gain of 404 m slightly exceeds the total ascent of 394 m, the profile is almost purely upward, with only trivial flat or downhill breathers.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this even, pacing is everything. Set your effort by your sustainable power rather than by how the first kilometre feels. A steady tempo just below your FTP will carry you to the 912 m summit far more efficiently than surging on every ramp and blowing up before the top. If you don't know your threshold number, use the FTP estimator to get a baseline before you plan your effort.

Because the gradient stays close to its 5.58% average, you can hold a remarkably constant power output. Aim to arrive at the steepest 7.88% section with something in reserve, then let your cadence carry you over it. With 7.2 km of continuous climbing, the second half is where discipline pays off — riders who go out too hard lose the most time here.

Gearing

For a 7.2 km climb averaging 5.58% and touching 7.88%, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup. A 34×32 lowest gear gives you enough range to spin the steeper pitches without grinding, keeping your cadence high across the sustained middle section. If you prefer to climb seated and protect your legs, or you carry extra fatigue into the day, a 34×34 adds a touch more insurance for that 7.88% ramp. Neither is overkill on a category 2 effort — the goal is to preserve cadence over 404 m of gain rather than muscle through it.

Summary

Zudaireko mendate berria is a fair, honest climb: steady gradient, no vicious surprises, and just enough length to test your pacing over 7.2 km. Ride it on your rhythm, gear appropriately, and the 912 m summit comes to you.

Length: 7.2 km
Average gradient: 5.58%
Max gradient: 7.88%
Start: 508 m
Summit: 912 m
Net gain: 404 m
Total ascent: 394 m
Category: 2