The Snow Bike Festival has announced that it has once again received Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accreditation and has been upgraded to a “Stage Race Class 1”, making it one of only 13 stage races worldwide to be classified this highly. This results in an increased prize purse and additional UCI points. The event will return to the beautiful region of Gstaad in the Swiss Canton Bern.
The winter mountain biking event will take place in Gstaad from January 18th to 21st 2018. Riders must endure ice-cold temperatures, challenging climbs and technical downhills. But the rewards are obvious, huge views across the gorgeous Swiss Alps.
Image from the 2017 Snow Bike Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland captured by Zoon Cronje for www.zcmc.co.za
Snow Bike Festival co-founder, Herman Coertze is “very pleased by the trust the UCI has placed in the Snow Bike Festival, by awarding the event ’Stage Race Class 1’ accreditation. We have created a unique event which combines top-level racing with a thrilling adventure.”
News on the ground about the Snow Bike Festival
In Gstaad, the news of the event’s UCI accreditation as a “Stage Race Class 1” was met with great excitement. The higher status typically attracts more professional riders, lifting the event’s profile and attracting more amateurs too. Patrick Bauer, Gstaad’s product manager ‘Bike’ stated “We are proud to have entered into a such an attractive partnership with the motivated organisers of the Snow Bike Festival. We are looking forward to the next edition of the event from January 18th to 21st 2018.”
Perfect conditions greeted racers for the final stage of the Snow Bike Festival in Gstaad’s winter wonderland. Photo: Zoon Cronje
2017 race winner, Katrin Leumann says the Snow Bike Festival “is an incredible experience for every athlete and enables them to broaden their horizon. The event doesn’t just test your physical boundaries, but also your ability to cope with the freezing cold and the unusual surface beneath your tyres. In return, you are rewarded with breath-taking landscapes and a perfectly organised event. It’s a very special and completely unique event!”
The stage race will be held under Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) MTB rules and is open to both amateurs and professionals. Riders are free to choose what kind of bike they want to compete with (Mountain Bike, Plus Bike or Fat Bike).
Image from the 2017 Snow Bike Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland captured by Zoon Cronje for www.zcmc.co.za
Registration for the 2018 event is now open, with earlybird entry packages available for CHF 590. Registration is online.
A closer look at the Snow Bike Festival
The 4-day stage race will feature a prologue on Thursday (Jan. 18th) and then three main stages (from Friday to Sunday, Jan. 19th to 21st). The prologue will be a short time trial course. The other stages will each be between 35km and 35km in length with 600m to 1000m of climbing. Riding times should range from 3 to 5 hours per stage.
The scenery on these stages is stunning. Riders will be met by incredible views as they ride amongst one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world.
Entry Packages at the Snow Bike Festival
The Race Pass Package for the event includes rider accreditation, participation in the Stage Race, lunch & dinner throughout the event, water point nutrition, a rider guide, access to rider zones, a Snow Bike Festival finisher’s medal, and gift pack with sponsored merchandise. This entry package is available for CHF 590 (earlybird price).
Image from the 2017 Snow Bike Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland captured by Zoon Cronje for www.zcmc.co.za
Those riders wishing to bring along family or friends may book a Supporter Package for each additional guest. This package provides the supporter with exclusive access to all rider zones, lunch & dinner throughout the event, an event guide, and a supporter gift pack. This package is available for CHF 300.
Further details are online.