The Bike Marathon Classics replaces the Swiss Bike Marathon Series
Association members are one delegate from each of the race organizers that are part of the Bike Marathon Classics. These are the previous races in the series: BerGiBike, on June 26 in Bulle; Eiger Bike Challenge, on August 14 in Grindelwald; o-tour bike marathon, on September 11 in Alpnach; National Park Bike Marathon, on August 27 in Scuol and the final race of the Iron Bike Race, on September 25 in Einsiedeln. The Elsa Bike Trophy in Estavayer-le-Lac is no longer part of the series. The organizers of the Raid Evolenard, which takes place on 19 June this year and also hosts the Swiss Marathon Championships, have registered their interest as a worthy replacement. A possible entry could take place in 2017.
The first President of the Bike Marathon Classics is Thomas Uhr, who is also the Chairman of the Iron Bike Race. Martina Hänzi is the managing director. VELOmedia, Martin Platter, is also responsible for communication. The aim of the new association is more democracy in all important decisions concerning the Classics. A new scoring system based on the UCI World Cup model has already been adopted at the founding meeting. It is progressive and therefore no longer includes scratch results. In addition, the prize money for the best riders is to be adjusted upwards where possible in order to make the Classics even more attractive for the top riders. However, further sponsor negotiations are still necessary for this, which should be completed by the beginning of April. The new website will be launched and the new logo presented by the end of April.
The 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. The two competitions with the highest number of participants in Switzerland's largest bike marathon series, the National Park Bike Marathon in Scuol and the Iron Bike Race in Einsiedeln, each attract around 2000 participants. The o-tour in Alpnach is also part of the UCI World Cycling Union's marathon series this year. World-renowned riders such as three-time marathon world champion Christoph Sauser, two-time Swiss champion and four-time overall series winner Urs Huber, as well as former Swiss champion and overall winner in 2010 and 2012 Lukas Buchli, have entered their names in the Classics' Golden Book; among the women, marathon world champion Esther Süss and the two series winners Milena Landtwing and Ariane Kleinhans. Urs Huber and Milena Landtwing are also among the top favorites in the battle for the overall standings this year. Since this year, the Bike Marathon Classics association has acted as the umbrella organization, of which every race organizer in the series is a member and has a say.
facebook.com/bikemarathonclassics/
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
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.