Chuquicamata is a climb of 12.0 kilometers (category 1). Chuquicamata tops out at 3,000 m above sea level. It is located in Calama, Región de Antofagasta, Chile. The average gradient is 4.2% with a maximum of 11.5%. The climb has 500 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: At 12 km long, with 500 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 4.2%, this Cat 1 climb demands a good balance between power and effort management. The hardest section runs from km 5.0 to km 9.0, where the gradient ramps up to 6%, 7%, then 8% over several consecutive kilometres. The flat section from km 9.0 to km 10.0 gives you a breather before a rolling but still punchy finish, with 1% then 3% all the way to the top.
Pacing tips:
1. Don't go out too hard. The first two kilometres at 4% are deceptive, so save something in the tank for the steepest part.
2. Hold it together through the heart of the climb. Between km 5.0 and km 8.0, where the gradient climbs from 6% to 8%, keep a smooth cadence in an easy gear and stay seated if you can.
3. Use the flat to recover. On the km 9.0 to km 10.0 stretch, which is flat at 0%, drink, eat and spin your legs back up so you hit the 3% from km 11.0 to km 12.0 with some fresh legs.
12.0 km • 500 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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