Collada de Sant Quiri

Overview

Collada de Sant Quiri is a Category 1 climb that asks for patience before it asks for power. Over 19.5 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 680 m to a summit at 1712 m, a net gain of 1032 m. The average gradient reads a moderate-looking 5.28%, but that figure hides the real character of the ascent: with a max gradient of 17.95%, this is a climb where the mean tells only half the story. At nearly 20 km long, it sits firmly in the endurance bracket — long enough that pacing errors early on will cost you dearly near the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 5.28% average and the 17.95% maximum is the number to respect. A climb that averages just over 5% but peaks near 18% is not evenly graded — it stacks steep pitches against shallower recovery stretches. The total ascent of 1010 m is slightly less than the net elevation gain of 1032 m, which tells you the road runs consistently uphill rather than rolling with descents that would inflate the climbing total. In practice that means very few chances to freewheel and recover speed. Expect long sustained sections around the average, punctuated by ramps that surge well into double digits. When the gradient jumps toward that 17.95% figure, your cadence will drop and your heart rate will spike — plan for it rather than being surprised by it.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Aim to ride the sustained sections just below your threshold and save your matches for the steep ramps toward 17.95%. A good target is holding a steady effort close to your FTP on the shallower stretches, then accepting short surges above it on the steepest pitches without going into the red. If you do not know your threshold power, the FTP estimator will give you a working number to anchor your pacing. The 5.28% average is deceptively sustainable — the danger is spending too much on early ramps and having nothing left when the road kicks up again in the final kilometres toward 1712 m.

Gearing

With 19.5 km at 5.28% and spikes to 17.95%, gearing is your friend. A compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the sustained sections, but on the steepest ramps near 17.95% many riders will wish for more. If your legs or your load favour spinning, a 34×34 gives you that extra buffer to keep cadence up and protect your knees through 1032 m of climbing. Choose the easier ratio if you are unsure — you can always stay seated in a bigger gear, but you cannot conjure a lower one mid-ramp.

Summary

Collada de Sant Quiri rewards steady, well-fuelled effort over 19.5 km, with just enough steep punch to keep it honest. Pace the middle, respect the ramps, and gear low.

Length: 19.5 km
Average gradient: 5.28%
Max gradient: 17.95%
Start: 680 m
Summit: 1712 m
Net gain: 1032 m
Total ascent: 1010 m
Category: 1