Passo Della Madonnella

Overview

Passo Della Madonnella is a 10.8 km category 2 climb that lifts you from 616 m at the base to 1205 m at the summit — a net elevation gain of 589 m. At an average gradient of 5.44%, it sits in that rewarding middle ground: long enough to demand respect, but never so relentless that a well-paced rider can't settle into a rhythm. The total ascent registers at 574 m, meaning the road is very nearly monotonic upward, with almost no downhill respite once you commit. This is a climb you ride with your head as much as your legs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With a 5.44% average spread across 10.8 km, the arithmetic is friendly, but averages hide the story. The max gradient of 11.23% tells you the road more than doubles its steepness at its worst pinches — roughly twice the average — so expect the climb to breathe in and out rather than hold one steady tilt. The gap between the 574 m of total ascent and the 589 m of net gain is tiny, confirming there are essentially no false descents to recover on. Practically, that means every steep ramp is banked, not given back: when the gradient spikes toward that 11.23% ceiling, you pay for it and keep the altitude. Read the road ahead and save something for the pitches.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to ride Madonnella is to anchor your effort to your FTP. On a 10.8 km climb, most riders will be on the slope for a sustained block of time, so target a percentage of threshold you can hold to the top rather than chasing the early ramps. A steady tempo just under threshold, with brief surges over the 11.23% pinches, usually beats a hot start that leaves you cracking near 1205 m. If you don't know your threshold number yet, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before your next attempt and set concrete power targets for the 589 m of climbing ahead.

Gearing

For a 5.44% average that ramps to 11.23%, give yourself margin. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline here. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steeper ramps while keeping cadence respectable, but if you're carrying fatigue, riding at altitude, or simply prefer to spin, a 34×34 buys you extra insurance on the pitches near that 11.23% maximum. Over 10.8 km of near-continuous ascent, the lower gear rarely goes to waste — better to have it and spin than to grind and blow up.

Summary

Passo Della Madonnella is a balanced, honest climb: 589 m of net gain across 10.8 km, with a moderate 5.44% average punctuated by ramps up to 11.23%. Pace it to your threshold, gear it generously, and the 1205 m summit is a very achievable target.

Length: 10.8 km
Average gradient: 5.44%
Max gradient: 11.23%
Start: 616 m
Summit: 1205 m
Net gain: 589 m
Total ascent: 574 m
Category: 2