The endurance test in every respect is the Chaschaunapass. In 2011, a cold snap and snowfall at the highest point of the usual route led to hypothermia and the race being abandoned. The organizers under OC President Claudio Duschletta do not want to take this risk in 2018 to protect the participants and the many volunteers involved.

Despite the shortened route, the National Park Bike Marathon remains a highlight in the calendar of many mountain bikers. The scenic route with many flowing trails attracted over 2000 starters last year, making the mountain bike event the biggest in Switzerland. It is part of the Garmin Bike Marathon Classics with the final at the Iron Bike Race on September 30 in Einsiedeln and other marathon classics in Switzerland and South Tyrol.

Exciting starting position for the favorites

The organizers are also counting on the top favourites for 47 km instead of 137 km. However, fast starters such as Swiss champion Konny Looser could have a slight advantage. However, there are other top riders at the start who will make the race exciting: All three of last year's first-place finishers are registered: the two Germans Jochen Käss and Markus Kaufmann, as well as the Italian Samuele Porro. The participation of three-time winner Urs Huber, who crashed two weeks ago at the Eiger Bike Challenge and will not make a final decision until Friday despite a broken collarbone following surgery, is still open.
In the women's race, bike marathon classics leader Esther Süss is likely to be under even more pressure from young riders such as 23-year-old Alessia Nay from Zizers and Janine Schneider due to the shortened route.

http://www.bike-marathon.com