This Saturday, the Allianz Gravel Ride and Race will take place for the fourth time around Bern. The event for children, families and amateur athletes, is becoming more popular every year. Even the Swiss shooting star in road cycling, Gino Mäder, will be taking part.
The Allianz Gravel Ride and Race is more popular than ever before – once again the record number of participants has been broken. Last year, 350 people took part in the race, and now, three days before the event, the number is over 400. The race also seems to be popular with the youngest riders: more than 125 have registered for the Kids Race so far.
Hobby riders compete side by side with active and former professionals. This year, none other than road pro Gino Mäder, stage winner at the Giro d’Italia and best young pro at the Vuelta, will be there. “Simply to have fun,” as he says.
Mäder: «It’s great fun»
Maeder’s road season has been over since Paris-Roubaix ten days ago – now it’s actually time for a rest. But for the Allianz Gravel Race he makes a small exception. “For this event I’m happy to do it. When there’s such a cool event in Switzerland, it’s great fun to be part of it.” He was ultimately convinced to take part by his father, who is involved as the main sponsor of Allianz Insurance.
In addition to Mäder, top mountain biker Lukas Flückiger from the Oberaargau, Bernese cyclo-cross specialist Zina Barhoumi and former Olympic champion Pascal Richard will also be competing in the fifty-kilometre “race”.
Bike test and Kids World
For the first time, there will be the opportunity to test gravel bikes from our exhibitors directly in the terrain. A four-kilometre test track has been signalled.
For children and families, there are other attractive offers such as a skill course, a roller slide, a bouncy castle and a slackline to try out. Cycling superstar Gino Mäder will also be giving an autograph session at 3 pm! To make sure that no one goes hungry, there will be several food trucks with various culinary offers. Registrations are still possible online until Saturday.
