Ed Daidabe from MechMech Jbeil: what you need to know

Difficulty breakdown: With 4.8 km for 345 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 7.2%, the climb of Ed Daidabe from El Ouata fully deserves its Category 1 rating. The hardest section sits between KM 1.0-1.5 at 12%, preceded by an already stiff opening at 9% over KM 0.0-0.5. The breather at KM 3.0-3.5 at 2% shouldn't make you forget the ramp back up to 8% between KM 3.5-4.0, which arrives just when your legs are already well cooked.

Tips for pacing the effort:

1. Hold a steady rhythm from the bottom. On KM 0.0-0.5 at 9%, don't go out too hard. Save enough in the tank for the 12% section at KM 1.0-1.5.

2. Use the flat to recover. On KM 3.0-3.5 at 2%, shift up a gear, then drink or eat something to refuel before the ramp to 8%.

3. Manage your effort in the final kilometre. On KM 4.5-4.8 at 5%, the gradient eases off. Keep some power in reserve so you can finish strong without blowing up over the last few hundred metres.