Portella Sant'Andrea

Overview

Portella Sant'Andrea is a genuine hors catégorie test, and its dimensions tell you why. Over 24.9 km the road lifts you from just 10 m above sea level to a summit of 1485 m, a net gain of 1475 m. The average gradient of 5.93% sounds civil enough on paper, but averages flatter the truth on a climb this long — the total ascent of 1460 m confirms there is almost no meaningful downhill to reset your legs. From the first pedal stroke near sea level to the final metres at altitude, this is a relentless, one-directional grind that rewards patience and punishes ego.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to respect is the 19.24% maximum. That ramp sits far above the 5.93% average, so the climb is not evenly graded — it hides steep pitches inside long stretches of steadier road. Think of the 5.93% as the tax you pay continuously across all 24.9 km, with sharp surcharges where the gradient spikes toward that 19.24% peak. Because the net gain (1475 m) so nearly matches the total ascent (1460 m), you can trust that the effort accumulates almost without pause: there are barely 15 m of give-back across the entire ascent. Ride the shallow sections smoothly and save something for the walls.

Pacing Notes

On a climb of this length, discipline beats bravado. Set your effort against your FTP rather than chasing the wheel in front — 24.9 km at 5.93% will take most riders well over an hour, so a sustainable, repeatable power target is everything. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. Bank effort on the steadier gradients and consciously back off as the road tilts toward 19.24%, letting cadence, not force, carry you over the steepest ramps. Going 5% too hard in the first third here costs you far more than it does on a short climb.

Gearing

With 1460 m of climbing and pitches reaching 19.24%, gear for the worst moment, not the average. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steadier 5.93% stretches without grinding, but on a climb that touches 19.24% after more than 20 km in the legs, a 34×34 gives you the extra safety margin to keep spinning when your reserves are gone. If your bike accepts it, err toward the 34×34 — you will never regret an easier gear near a 1485 m summit.

Summary

Portella Sant'Andrea earns its HC rating honestly: 24.9 km of near-continuous climbing, a 5.93% average that masks a brutal 19.24% maximum, and 1475 m of vertical separating the 10 m start from the 1485 m summit. Pace it by threshold, gear it generously, and treat the whole thing as one long effort rather than a series of sprints.

Length: 24.9 km
Average gradient: 5.93%
Max gradient: 19.24%
Start: 10 m
Summit: 1485 m
Net gain: 1475 m
Total ascent: 1460 m
Category: HC