The UCI Gran fondo Suisse has been around for several years, but the 2024 edition has completely changed. New challenging routes and the addition of a UCI Gravel Race complete this three-day event. We were curious. With four people, CycloWorld was present at the time trial, medio fondo and gran fondo.
Photo: @Kuva
Villars-sur-Ollon is where the event will take place. This spa town at 1300 meters is surprisingly lively. A great location for the three-day UCI event.
The first two years, the UCI Gran Fondo Suisse was a bit anonymous. Last year, R&D Cycling(aka Tour des Stations) took care of it and completely upgraded the event with a completely new gran fondo route and time trial. They also added a UCI Gravel Race. Time trial, gravel race and gran fondo: 3 days of fun.
No expense was spared to make it an enjoyable stay. The bibs pickup went smoothly. The extensive expo grounds with long tables serve as the central location throughout the weekend. There is plenty to eat and drink here, the large TV screen shows the European Football Championship and the Tour de France, and the award ceremonies take place there. It's not down to the organization. However, the weather is rather changeable. Full sun on Friday, rain on Saturday and on Sunday an alternation of drizzle, fog and sun.
Under the scorching sun, the time trial took place on Friday. Yda and Luc were at the start. Below is Luc's report.
Luc: "A time trial of 7.5 km; how hard can it be? Three weeks before D-day I made another acquaintance with the asphalt: in addition to the traditional scrapes, bruised shoulder, ribs and ego were the result. You've finally built up some fitness and there you are. 'You didn't break anything, did you?' No, but motivation and fitness were suddenly very far away. Can I still pull off that trip to Switzerland? My qualification for the World Cup is already in order. I only wanted to do it because it would be a challenge. The Col de la Croix goes up steeply from Villars: 470 meters of elevation over 7.5 km; the last 4 kilometers averaging 10%. Not going would mean paying 80% of the lodging cost. So we'll just think of it as training.
The day after my arrival, reconnaissance was on the program. After 2 of the 4 kilometers at 10% I turned back: languid, thick legs, terrible wattages, the bruised ribs saying, "not with us, buddy..." Whether the stay at 1,400 meters had anything to do with it, I don't know. A day later, an hour's workout works out.
Photo: Luc (right) goes all the way (@Kuva).
After the start of the time trial, you get to devour 250 meters at 10% immediately. So it's a matter of not blowing yourself up. Since I was the only participant in my age category (65-69 years old), I didn't have to worry: arrive and I win... Of course, it remains a matter of honor to achieve a better time than those hefty guys of 70 . I succeeded and with an average of 15 per hour I was not dissatisfied. The perseverer and go-getter wins; the absent are wrong. The medal, the GFWS jersey and a podium photo without opponents are my share. Fall and rise!"
Photo: Luc on the podium.
On Saturday is the gravel race. The weather turned to full showers. Unfortunately we have no one from our team at the start, but we take a look at the finish line. The large number of foreign cars parked is striking. Among them a large number of Dutch and Belgians. Many followers and drivers are making a party of it despite the bad weather. A typical relaxed gravel atmosphere. Hopefully we will also be there next year with a team.
Yda decided last minute to switch from the gran fondo to the medio fondo and did not regret it.
Photo: @Kuva
Yda: "The weather forecast for July 7 was initially so dramatic that I had serious doubts about my participation. A day in advance the forecast is: thunderstorms and rain at night, early morning locally dense fog and drizzle until 9:30, then clearings. Still not ideal, but not insurmountable. So at 7.20 I cycle to the start in my rain jacket and overshoes to join the line for the gran fondo. I have already decided to do the medio fondo, but have been unable to convert my registration. The rain jacket quickly comes off, as it turns out to be extremely mild, and we start climbmen almost immediately: the Col de la Croix. I already climbed this col on Friday during the time trial, but then I was cycling in the full sun with 30 degrees. This is much more pleasant. Well warmed up I start from Les Diablerets on the second climb of the day: the Col du Pillon. When half an hour later the drizzle stops and it begins to open up I enjoy it more and more. A highlight is the long Col des Mosses, with sweeping views, beautiful rock formations and huge waterfalls. I cycle up the second to last climb, Col de la Forclaz, in increasingly dense fog. So I have no clear idea of it except that it feels like an irregular climb. The finish is on the Col de la Croix, which we now have to climb from the other side. A tough climb, especially for those who are doing the gran fondo and already have pretty soured legs.
Final verdict: wonderful gran fondo, perfectly organized, good feed stations and a relaxed ambiance."
That the gran fondo is a more than a serious ride is evidenced by Jean-Marie Henckaerts' story. It is one of the toughest UCI qualifiers and a grandiose gran fondo to ride even without qualifying ambitions. Sunday morning, 454 people are at the start in foggy and drizzly conditions.
Photo: the start
Jean-Marie: "The UCI Gran Fondo was a bridge too far for me. 150 kilometers and 3800 meters of elevation of race rhythm was not in the cards this year. Like many, I started in the fresh morning with some rain. I actually like that better than too hot. Right after the start it was climbmen, the Col de la Croix and then Col de Pillon. The first two descents were on wet pavement, so that meant braking for me.
At the waypoint I followed my group until it soon became apparent that I was on the route of the medio fondo. This is the only comment on this gran fondo. The directions at the waypoint were unclear.
Photo: @Kuva
I turned around because I still wanted to do the gran fondo. That meant another 50 kilometers and the Mittelberg Pass to go! This is the toughest col of the day, but it all went well. The Col de Mosses of over 20 kilometers via Lake Hongrin was no slouch. After that, my song was out. The last two cols, the Forclaz and Col de la Croix from the other side, were too much for me. With willpower I still got to the top after which I started the descent to the finish and got a regular medal, far from the times to qualify for the UCI World Championship. Again learned a lot about my own strengths and my limits."
Herman was also at the start for the gran fondo, but like Jean-Marie missed the split. He chose to just finish the medio fondo.
The UCI Gran fondo Suisse was organized with Swiss precision, but also very relaxed. Actually, only the splitting of the gran fondo and medio fondo was a minus point. Other than that, it's just a great event in super beautiful surroundings. The three-day event has something for everyone. The gravel race and the gran fondo are so challenging that they are also very nice without qualifying ambitions.
There are a remarkable number of foreigners in all parts, including dozens of Dutch and Belgians. Clearly, the event has not gone unnoticed. Whatever happens, we will be back.
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