The Swiss Granfondo weekend offered a unique triple threat for cyclists, featuring a time trial, a granfondo, and a UCI Gravel race all within three days.
The festivities kicked off on Friday with a time trial up the demanding Col de la Croix. Edward Laverack (GBR) took the win, conquering the 7km climb with 440m of elevation in a blistering 18 minutes and 53 seconds, averaging an impressive 23.83 km/h. Maxime Limone (FRA) and Toma Gdula (CZE) got second and third, finishing 41 seconds and 2 minutes and 8 seconds back, respectively.
Petra Stiasny (SUI) dominated the women’s time trial, clocking in at 24 minutes and 8 seconds. This time secured her victory over compatriot Alexia Schmid (SUI) by 30 seconds, with Meredith Byrne (USA) rounding out the podium a further 45 seconds behind.
Saturday saw the granfondo riders take a well-deserved break while the gravel specialists took center stage for their own dedicated race.
Sunday’s granfondo unfolded under challenging conditions, with pouring rain drenching the 148km course that snaked through the mountains and tackled a cumulative elevation gain of 3700m. Six climbs awaited the riders with an average combined gradient of 6.5%.
Grégoire Lemaire (BEL) impressed with his powerful performance on the Col de la Croix, conquering the climb 10 minutes and 29 seconds ahead of Johan Fayet (SUI). Marcel Summer (AUT) completed the international podium.
Petra Stiasny (SUI) achieved a remarkable double victory, dominating the women’s granfondo by an even larger margin than the men’s race. Annette Griner (GER) finished second, 20 minutes and 45 seconds behind, while Alexia Schmid (SUI) secured third place, 29 minutes and 43 seconds back. Notably, Schmid was one of the few athletes who competed in both the gravel race and the granfondo.
The mediofondo, a shorter event for older riders vying for qualification for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Denmark, saw victories for former World Champion Jean-Luc Chavanon (FRA) and Sally Ashbridge (GBR) in their respective categories.
