Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, is gearing up for a massive weekend of cycling events centered around the UCI Gran Fondo and Gravel World Series, with something for everyone – from seasoned climbers to gravel enthusiasts.
Kicking off the festivities is a demanding 7km mountain time trial today. Starting at 1336m, riders will conquer the Col de la Croix, finishing at 1748m with an average gradient of 6.6%. Be prepared for a challenging final kilometer with ramps exceeding 11%!
Saturday brings a brand new event – the UCI Gravel Suisse. This race utilizes the stunning off-road paths of the surrounding Swiss Alps Vaudoises region, offering a unique challenge for gravel specialists.
The final event, the Granfondo road race, takes place on Sunday. This course is a true climber’s dream, featuring epic climbs worthy of a Grand Tour stage. Riders will tackle the Col de la Croix, Col du Pillon, Col du Mittelberg, before descending to the lowest point at 690m. Then, the challenge continues with the Col des Mosses, La Forclaz, and a final ascent of the Col de la Croix (1778m) for a demanding 150km route with a staggering 3724m of elevation gain.
For those seeking a shorter but still challenging option, a 97km Mediofondo route with 2588m of elevation is also available and counts as qualifier distance for men over 60 and women over 50.
The event has attracted an impressive 1500 riders from 40 countries, all eager to test themselves on these spectacular courses.
