Colle Sud Bric Resonau cycling climb profile
Colle Sud Bric Resonau is an HC climb in Italy that asks for sustained climbing discipline rather than a single explosive effort. The headline numbers are clear: 19.7 km in length, 1,272 m of net elevation gain, and an average gradient of 6.45%. Starting at 7 m and topping out at 1,279 m, it is effectively a full-scale mountain ascent from near sea level to a high summit.
The key detail is the relationship between the average gradient and the maximum gradient. A 6.45% average across nearly 20 km is already a long aerobic load. Add a maximum gradient of 17.6%, and the climb becomes much harder to pace than the average alone suggests. The steepest ramps are not just uncomfortable - they can force a rider above threshold if the gearing is too ambitious or if the early pacing is too optimistic.
How the gradient unfolds
The available profile data does not provide sector-by-sector gradients, so the smartest way to read Colle Sud Bric Resonau is through its overall structure. From 7 m to 1,279 m, the road gains altitude for almost the full 19.7 km. That makes the climb a long, cumulative effort where fatigue builds steadily rather than arriving only near the summit.
The 6.45% average tells you the baseline demand: this is not a wall from bottom to top, but it is too long to ride on punch alone. The 17.6% maximum tells you there are moments where rhythm will be interrupted. Those ramps are the tactical danger points. If you respond to them by muscling a big gear, you risk paying for it later, because the climb still requires almost 20 km of total work.
There is also a small data tension worth noting: the listed total ascent is 1,259 m, while the net elevation gain is 1,272 m. Since those figures do not perfectly align, it is better not to infer detailed descending or flat sections from the numbers alone. The practical takeaway remains the same: prepare for a long HC ascent with steep spikes.
Pacing strategy
The right approach is controlled from the bottom. Use the average gradient as the governor, not the maximum gradient as the emotional cue. If riding by power, settle below your sustainable climbing effort early, then allow short rises above target only when the 17.6% ramps demand it. If you are using /glossary/ftp as a reference, this is the kind of climb where staying just under control matters more than chasing speed through every steep section.
A useful pacing hierarchy:
- First third: conservative, seated, smooth cadence.
- Middle section: lock into a repeatable rhythm and avoid unnecessary surges.
- Steep ramps: shift early, accept lower speed, protect the legs.
- Final section: only lift the effort if you have kept the spikes under control.
Gearing notes
Gear for the maximum gradient, not the average. A 6.45% average might tempt a stronger rider into a standard climbing setup, but the 17.6% maximum changes the requirement. You want a low enough gear to stay seated and keep torque manageable when the road pitches up.
For most riders, the risk is not being under-geared on the moderate portions. It is being over-geared on the steepest ramps and turning a long aerobic climb into a series of strength efforts. If unsure, choose the easier cassette. On a 19.7 km HC climb, cadence control is a pacing tool, not a comfort preference.