St. Anton

Overview

St. Anton is a 14 km Category 2 climb that trades brutal steepness for sustained effort. From a start elevation of 394 m to a summit of 1106 m, you gain 712 m of net elevation across the ascent, with 705 m of total climbing packed into that distance. The average gradient sits at a manageable 5.08%, which makes this a climb you can settle into rather than survive — a rhythm test more than a wall. That said, the maximum pitch touches 13.45%, so treat the "average" label with respect: there are ramps here that will pull you well out of your comfortable cadence.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining tension of St. Anton is the gap between its 5.08% average and its 13.45% maximum. A climb that averaged its max would be a different beast entirely; instead, the steeper sections are balanced by longer stretches sitting below the average. Over 14 km, that means the road breathes — pitches that bite hard, then relent enough to let your legs recover. The near-parity between net gain (712 m) and total ascent (705 m) tells you this is an honest, one-directional climb with no significant descents to reset your rhythm mid-effort. What goes up mostly keeps going up, so the elevation you earn stays earned.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Your FTP is the number that matters most here: hold a percentage of it you can sustain for the full 14 km rather than the first few kilometres. A 5.08% average is friendly enough to ride at threshold-adjacent power for extended stretches, but the 13.45% ramps demand restraint — surge over them and you'll pay for it long before the 1106 m summit. If you're unsure what wattage you can hold for the roughly 45-to-60-minute duration this climb implies, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pacing plan. Aim to crest the steepest pitches spinning, not grinding, and save a small reserve for the final kilometres above the halfway point of your elevation gain.

Gearing

Given the 13.45% maximum, gearing is where you protect yourself. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring is the sensible starting point. Pair it with a 34×32 for the steepest ramps if you're a strong climber holding good cadence, but if you prefer to spin or you're carrying fatigue, a 34×34 gives you the extra room to keep your legs turning over the sharpest pitches without stalling. Across 705 m of total ascent, a low bailout gear is not a weakness — it's what lets you ride the whole climb at a repeatable cadence rather than mashing yourself into the red on the ramps.

Summary

St. Anton rewards the patient rider: 14 km of steady work with just enough sting in its 13.45% ramps to keep you honest. Pace off your FTP, gear low, and let the 5.08% average carry you to the 1106 m summit.

Length: 14 km
Average gradient: 5.08%
Max gradient: 13.45%
Start: 394 m
Summit: 1106 m
Net gain: 712 m
Total ascent: 705 m
Category: 2