At the sixth Gravel Ride & Race in Bern, the participants ensured the sixth record in a row. More than 1’000 start numbers were assembled at the Gravel event. A total of 1,059 participants took part, which is more than 200 more than a year ago. And with Mathias Flückiger and Alessandra Keller, there were two big names on the top of the podium.
What was launched in 2018 with the premiere of the “Gravel Ride & Race Bern” culminated in a great event on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the sixth edition. The incredible number of amateur athletes created a unique atmosphere. Already at the start number distribution you could feel the Gravel spirit on every corner and the starting signal with the countless participants on the starting straight was a real eye-catcher. Both the Race (with ranking and over 50 kilometers) and the Ride (without ranking and over 25 kilometers) were started quickly. The mountain bike pros Mathias Flückiger and Alessandra Keller soon took control and both ensured a clear solo victory. While Flückiger finished almost four minutes ahead, Keller won the women’s race with just under a minute to spare.
Everyone got their money’s worth at the “Gravel Ride & Race Bern”. Amateur athletes, families, elite riders and kids. It was a real cycling festival, which was celebrated around the outdoor pool Weyermannshaus and the surrounding gravel roads. Because the wonderful and varied route with an incredible amount of gravel roads and only very few meters of asphalt was a real treat for the participants. Also because the weather played along perfectly. While it was still raining during the preparations the day before, Saturday showed a great mix of sun, blue sky and a few clouds.
Organizer and OC president Christian Rocha was also overwhelmed by the success of his event: “The numbers show that we have created a concept that meets with great interest. The renewed enormous increase in registrations is a huge motivation for future projects.” Rocha is not only referring to the upcoming seventh edition of the Gravel event in Bern, but also to the first edition of the Gravel Trans Jura. A unique bikepacking adventure that will provide a great gravel experience from May 30 to June 5, 2024 as a self-supported event and without a ranking list. “Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with our events. The idea of performance should not come first and the fun should definitely be the most important point.”
Great Village and many visitors
In addition to the various opportunities to participate, the attendees also got their money’s worth off the track. At the Expo, no less than 15 different gravel bike brands could be test ridden and the latest bikes and accessories could be admired at 17 exhibitors. Several street food stands provided the best culinary delights and thanks to various offers such as a skill course, a bouncy castle and a roller slide, children and families also got a lot of activities. A very successful cycling festival.
