The 25th anniversary edition of the Grand Raid, from Verbier – Grimentz, promises a unique show, thanks to a start list that holds many of the best in the world. In 2013 the victory escaped Christophe Sauser after a flat. What will happen this year, while the world champion admitted that the Grand Raid was in debt to him? Nearly 2,200 participants from 26 countries are now registered, including the 800 starting on Saturday, August 23rd from Verbier, for the full 125km/5000m race.
Last year Christophe Sauser, as reigning XCM World Champion, multiple European Champion and Olympic medallist of Sigriswil was forced, after a flat on the descent of the Pas de Lona to Grimentz, to leave the victory to his compatriot the Swiss Bull, Urs Huber from Jonen, triple winner of the Grand Raid and course record holder 2013 in 6 hours 08.19 and medallist at World and European championships. That promises that the fight will be tight and probably of tactical nature.
Besides these two riders the line-up is stunning: Austrian Alban Lakata has had a great season after returning from injury, and is racing the Leadville 100 in the lead up to the race. His Topeak-Ergon team mate Robert Mennen, champion of Germany in 2013, plus Bulls Karl Platt (winner of the Grand Raid 2010) and Tim Böhme, the French Thomas Dietsch as well as Konny Looser, European marathon champion under 23 in 2011 and Jérémy Huguenin, 8th at the European marathon Championship 2014 from Switzerland, to name a few. The start list even shows that Xterra star Ian Leitch is making the trip across the ditch to compete, and bringing a collection of UK lads like Richard Rothwell and Scott Cornish.
As part of the UCI Marathon Series, riders who score a top 20 place in Elite will automatically qualify for the 2015 XCM World Championships in the Val Gardena.
Among the women, Sally Bigham from Great Britain will be the outright favourite. The Italian Elena Giacomuzzi who generated much talk in 2012 as well as the Bernese, living in South Africa, Ariane Kleinhans, winner of the Grand Raid and various major races in 2013, will certainly deliver an interesting fight. Indeed, a beautiful starting block for its 25th anniversary which is already very rich and promise a great show.
We will be reporting from the race and bring you updates as they happen – helping to celebrate what could be one of the longest running Marathon races in the world. For entries and more details see the race website