Each year the UCI denotes which races will attract ranking points, and the guaranteed prize money that goes along with it. Races like the Swiss Epic and Cape Epic have earnt their ‘SHC’ (hors categorie stage race) ranking, and other stage races can be S1 or S2, depending on their difficulty. In 2017, the Snow Bike Festival has gained UCI S2 status.
So next year in Gstaad, the UCI mountain bike professionals will compete on snow for the very first time. A few weeks ago, the Snow Bike Festival received the accreditation of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and will be the very first UCI race that takes place on snow.
From January 19 – 22, 2016 the idyllic town will be filled with bike fans and riders who celebrate the Snow Bike Festival over three days. Every day a different race, and each of them holds its very own character with race tracks all over primed, snow-capped trails and ski slopes. The Snow Bike Festival 2017 promises a lot of fun and action – but at the same time opportunity.
Riders during the 2016 Snow Bike Festival, Gstaad, Switzerland.
The introduction of the Snow Bike Festival into the UCI calendar will not only ensure riders can collect valuable UCI points, but also guarantees a total prize money in excess of CHF 7’000.
This is also the first opportunity where a UCI race will be using fat bikes. Often seen in adventurous events and endeavours across snow and sand, a fat bike like the Norco Sasquatch Justin Morris used at the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge is the perfect tool for the Snow Bike Festival. The wide tyres at low pressure float better on snow, and the low gears help with the greater friction. Suspension isn’t really required, and a rigid fork can be more beneficial.
Need more details? Head to the event website.