Bocchino di Semola

Overview

Bocchino di Semola is a category 1 climb in Italy, rising 13.4 km from a start elevation of 291 m to a summit at 1085 m. On paper that is a net elevation gain of 794 m at an average that reads moderate, but the category tells you this is a serious, sustained effort rather than a rolling warm-up.

The number that reshapes the whole ride is total ascent: 1252 m against 794 m of net gain. That 458 m gap is climbing you do that the profile then gives back, meaning the road undulates rather than climbing cleanly. You pay for every dip with a re-acceleration, so the true cost of the climb is well above what the net figure suggests. Budget your legs for the total, not the net.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 5.92% average is a blend, not a description of the road. With 458 m of hidden extra ascent, long stretches sit below average to make room for pitches that spike well above it, topping out at 22.65%. Riding to the average number will leave you over-geared and stalling on the ramps.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the road eases or briefly tips downhill between efforts
• Repeated short climbs that punch back up after each descent, adding up to the undulation
• The steepest ramp at 22.65%, where cadence collapses and raw torque decides whether you keep rolling

Pacing Notes

On a clean climb you can hold even effort and let speed drift. Here the undulation makes even-speed pacing a trap: chasing a fixed speed forces surges on every ramp and coasting on every dip, burning matches you need later. Anchor instead to a target sustainable power output and hold it steady through the rollers, letting speed rise and fall around it. On the descents between efforts, keep pressure on the pedals rather than freewheeling. If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator first and set your climbing target a notch below it so the steep pitches do not tip you into the red.

Gearing

The 22.65% maximum dictates your setup, not the average. Bring a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you a bailout low enough to spin the steepest ramp instead of grinding it standing. On a 13.4 km climb with repeated hard pitches, one gear too tall becomes exhausting fast. Check your chainrings and cassette before the ride; swapping a cassette at the trailhead is not an option.

Summary

• Length: 13.4 km
• Average gradient: 5.92%
• Maximum gradient: 22.65%
• Net elevation gain: 794 m
• Total ascent: 1252 m
• Category: 1

Bocchino di Semola rewards riders who respect the gap between its net gain and its total ascent. Gear low, pace to power, and treat the undulation as the real challenge.