Every race has a crux, and in the Grand Raid, which runs from Verbier to Grimentz along the Swiss Alps in the Valais region – it is the Pas de Lona. A vicious hike up a scree slope to well over 2700m, it comes on the penultimate climb, when you have just climbed up about 1400m previously. In 2014, the winner was Urs Huber, winning the Swiss Classic in his freshly won Swiss XCM Champion jersey. The Pas de Lona has many crowds, and everyone has their own battle up there. Fatigue, balance, altitude, losing their footing… it adds a real adventure to this Marathon MTB race.
Grand Raid: The Pas de Lona
Many have lost their passion for marathon racing on the Pas de Lona. Photo: Sportograf
