What's a ramp in cycling?

Climbs are critical to tactics within cyling races, and while the average gradient of a climbs tells you the holistic story of what's going to occur over the course of it - it doesn't tell you everything.

That's where "ramps" come into play. A climb may be rated at an average of 4% over 10km, but have stretches of tarmac during the climb of upwards of 15%, if only for a short while. These short stretches are called ramps, and can be defining moments for groups to break away or for attacks to happen.

Alexander Vlasov's favourite incline is between 4-6%. Knowing that, other riders may attack on ramps of > 6% knowing that he may not be able to hold the wheel depending on how long the ramp is.

"Puncheur" type riders, who excel at short bursts of speed, may also use these ramps within a climb to produce attack or distance themselves from the group.