In March, rumours were still doing the rounds that the marathon series was at an end, but now comes the important sponsor confirmation: the major Swiss bike marathon race organizers can breathe a sigh of relief after joining forces on 21 March in Egerkingen to form the "Bike Marathon Classics" association, the new umbrella organization for the national race series.

Garmin now the main sponsor

Despite the difficult economic environment, the race organizers announced in a press release that they have been able to secure a well-known main sponsor in the form of navigation and performance measurement device manufacturer Garmin. This changes the name of the five-race series to "Garmin Bike Marathon Classics." The sponsor will also feature prominently in the new logo, on the new homepage and in the overall corporate identity of the race series.

"We have been eagerly awaiting this decision," commented Thomas Uhr, President of the Garmin Bike Marathon Classics. The commitment relieves the burden on the race organizers. An orderly transition to the new structures and the acquisition of the new Classics infrastructure can now take place without any additional financial outlay.At the start for three years

From 2017, participants will also benefit from the new main sponsor in the form of higher prize money. Garmin has signed a three-year contract. The brand had already been the main sponsor of the ten-race Garmin Bike Cup in French-speaking Switzerland for some time. With the additional support of the Bike Marathon Classics, the company would also like to raise its profile in German-speaking Switzerland.

The Garmin Bike Marathon Classics, which has existed since 1996, comprises five stages. Over a maximum distance of 494 kilometers, mountain bikers have to cover an exhausting 17,575 meters of altitude in the most beautiful regions of western, central and south-eastern Switzerland. Around 8000 mountain bikers take part in the race series every year.The 5 races of the Bike Marathon Classics
26.06.2016, Celsius BerGiBike, Fribourg/Bulle/FR
14.08.2016, Eiger Bike Challenge, Grindelwald/BE
29.08.2016, National Park Bike Marathon, Scuol/GR
11.09.2016, o-tour bike marathon Obwalden, Alpnach/OW
25.09.2016, Iron Bike Race, Einsiedeln/SZ
The overall winners 2015: Lukas Buchli, Milena Landtwing
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