The seventh edition of the oldest and largest gravel event has once again seen a new record number of participants. Over 1200 participants ventured onto the selective and sometimes muddy course. The 50-kilometer race was decided by a sprint finish.
As every year in October, the gravelers take over the area around the largest outdoor swimming pool in Europe for a day. And once again, a new record number of participants was set. Around 800 riders took on one of the two routes over 25 or 50 kilometers. The remaining 400 took part in the VCS Family Ride or the Kids Cross.
Smiling faces, mud-covered tires
After the weather had not been very sunny in the last few days, the course was very deep in places. As a result, most of the participants had to get off their bikes a few times to carry or push their beloved bikes in good old cyclocross style. But for the vast majority of those who had strapped on a race number in the morning, the rank played a subordinate role either way. By the time they reached the finish line, everyone had forgotten all about their efforts and battles for position with their neighbors in the rankings and were busy high-fiving each other.
In addition to the slightly adapted route in Bremgartenwald, the seventh edition of the Gravel Ride & Race featured another very welcome novelty: for the first time, a sizeable group of handbikers took part in the 50-kilometre race. For organizer Christian Rocha, this was a highlight of this year’s edition: “It fills us with pride to be at the forefront of inclusion in cycling. We adapted the route slightly for the cyclists in the handbikes, but basically they rode the same route as the athletes without disabilities.”
Thriller of seconds in the women’s race
The Gravel Race is also increasingly establishing itself as a successful end to the season for licensed riders. Alessandra Keller, Anabel Fisher (Gbr), Karolina Migon (Pol) and Caroline Baur took part in the women’s race. In the men’s race, Simon Pellaud, Nils Correvon, Nick Burki and young star Fabio Christen. Karolina Migon won by a wafer-thin margin ahead of Alessandra Keller. Janine Schneider (Ger) completed the podium. Fabio Christen was the fastest in the men’s race, ahead of Nick Burki and Simon Pellaud.
