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Published: 15. June 2021 - Source: Destination Gstaad

A NEW ROAD BIKE MEGA FESTIVAL IN THE SWISS ALPS

Gstaad, 16 June 2021 * * * A hot road bike summer is coming up in the Swiss Alps. Gstaad, world famous chalet village, launches a totally new Mega Festival that shall set new standards in versatility: 10 days, 5 international events and all road bike specialties to be represented. During the full 10 days various dream bikes by prestigious brands are available to be tested on and off the 5 events. On the agenda of Gstaad Road Bike Summit: Europe’s first ever strictly female Gran Fondo (20/21 August), a new alpine Ultra Fondo race spotting 170 km and an impressive 5000 vertical meters (22 August), a tough alpine Gravel race where participants try to beat superstar and multiple world champion Christoph Sauser (25 August), an E-Road-Bike “Tour of Joy” with 10-times world champion and Giro-winner Urs Freuler (26 August) and finally the Vintage Cycling Festival Bergkönig which is already in its 5th edition (27-29 August).

Not many alpine destinations may be as attractive to roadies as Gstaad. The resort will celebrate this positioning with a new road bike festival. After having kicked off cycling season by hosting the Tour de Suisse in June, the “Road Bike Summit” happening end of August will offer a versatile program that represents all specialties of the sector. Specifies Gstaad tourism director Flurin Riedi: “We know that many roadies operate in various disciplines. With the Road Bike Summit we offer a wide ranging platform for an exciting road bike holiday”.

Besides versatility the Gstaad Road Bike Summit will be dedicated to quality and style. Riedi: “The brand Gstaad is a clear commitment. We offer a new level of road bike events, whether it is regarding precision of organization, refined catering stations alongside the parcours, hospitality of the hotels, the high class finisher parties, the breathtaking views during the tours or our unspoiled alpine nature”. The festival’s organisation is decentralized. Instead of one common, tent based event village, every event will be hosted by a 4- or 5-star hotel, from distribution of start packs up to the finisher party. This is also the case for the test bike centers, where during all 10 event days dream bikes of prestigious brands are available for testing on and off the events.

The Gstaad Road Bike Summit aims high confirms Riedi: “This year we want to set the cornerstone for an international flagship event. While for MTB and E-Bikes several Festivals and Testivals are existing, our Road Bike Summit is breaking new ground in the road bike sector. First reactions from potential participants, industry and experts are highly promising. We certainly remain realistic in this first year which is still dominated by Corona uncertainties. But the focus is from the start international and mid-term expectations are high, based on the Gstaad principle class rather than mass”. All details on www.roadbikesummit.com

LA REINE – The first strictly female Gran Fondo | 20 - 21 August 2021
«Strictly female» says the slogan, this first European road cycling mass sports event is inspired by similar running races like «Frauenlauf Bern». 3 different tours, from an easy 41/900 to a veritable Gran Fondo with 120/2860. Classification based on several timed sections is optional. Attractive supporting program with workshops and social happenings. This event is supported by #fastandfemaleSUI, the female supporting program of the Swiss Federation. Limited to 200 participants. www.lareine.cc 

NEO BERGKÖNIG – Ultra Fondo 170/5000 | 22 August
The unique parcours leads through narrow alpine roads with breathtaking views, long climbs and technical descents. At 170 km and 5000 vertical meters it is among Switzerland’s most demanding road bike marathons, on a par with Classics like “Alpenbrevet”. Alternatively offered are partial distances, Gran Fondo at 115/2800 or Medio Fondo at 65/2100. Optional classification on timed sections. Expected 200-250 participants. www.neobergkoenig.ch

KING OF GRAVEL – Alpine Tour with world champion Christoph Sauser | 25 August 2021
Four times UCI world champion Christoph Sauser is one of the most successful XC and Marathon riders of all time. Since having quit Pro racing in 2017 he focusses on Gravel. And as a local he knows the gravel roads and trails of the Gstaad area like no other. His Tour of 80km and 2900 vertical meters is certainly not for gravel beginners. Strong legs and perfect riding skills are essential conditions to finish this race. In two timed sections, Sauser will set the pace. Limited to 50 participants. www.kingofgravel.cc

KING OF JOY – E-Road-Tour and wine tasting with Urs Freuler | 26 August 2021
Some have won enough races throughout their lives and have now committed to pure pleasure. One of those is Urs Freuler, 10 times UCI world champion, winner of the Giro d’Italia (points) and double Swiss National Sportsman of the year. Nowadays Freuler is a confessing E-Road-Bike fan. He leads his tour of joy over the impressive cols Pillon and De La Croix down to the stunning Chablais wine region. The event will end with a tasting in a first class local winery. Participants may look forward to Freuler’s wild and funny stories from his years as a leading Pro. Very exclusive event, limited to 20 participants.

BERGKÖNIG – Vintage Cycling Festival | 27 - 29 August
The legendary Swiss Vintage Cycling Festival is in its fifth edition. Packed program with a mountain time trial, a sprint through the pedestrian area of Gstaad, a first class welcome cocktail at the Grand Hotel Park Gstaad, a vintage cycling market, an exhibition of collectors bikes and 8 different tours from 18 to 170 km. Central elements of the event are the 20 catering stations offering local artisanal food. Participants ride on road bikes built before 1990 and in matching clothing. Participants from all over the world, expected about 350. www.bergkoenig.cc 

ROAD-BIKE-TESTIVAL | 20 - 29 August
Not many alpine resorts have to offer to road bike lovers so many round tours as Gstaad does. During all 10 event days of the Road Bike Summit prestigious brands offer sought-after road bikes for testing (including gravel and e-road). Several signed test tours. Bikes can be tested on and off events, there are several signposted test tours too.

About Gstaad
The region has a further 9 chalet villages alongside Gstaad, located at an altitude of between 1,000 and 1,400 metres. According to legend, God wanted to take a short rest whilst creating the world. The imprint of his hand thus shaped the Saanenland region. His five fingers formed the valleys, with Gstaad nestling in their midst. It is hard not to believe that supernatural forces are at work when you let your eyes wander over the beauty of Nature. And nestling amidst the lakes and mountains lie the homely, Alpine villages with their characteristic chalets.

About the organizers
The Road Bike Summit is organized by the local association VCO who has acquired an excellent reputation with its Bergkönig Vintage Festival over the past years. A total of approximately 100 volunteers will make the event happen, Gstaad Municipality and Tourism Board as well as the local hotels fully support the summit.

Further media Information
Destination Gstaad, Flurin Riedi, CEO | +41 33 748 81 81 | flurin.riedi@gstaad.ch
Organizing Committee, Alex Beeler, president | +41 79 217 62 04 | info@lareine.cc