In what is arguably the most difficult year in the history of endurance sports and mass-participation events, the recent success of the Swiss Epic mountain bike race operated by The IRONMAN Group ‘served as a much-needed boost to riders and organisers alike.’
Running from August 18-22, in Graubünden, Switzerland, the Swiss Epic is an international 5-day mountain bike stage race. It was acquired by IRONMAN in 2017.
“It is good to be back to racing,” said Thomas Veje Olsen, Head of Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa for The IRONMAN Group. “Our teams worked tirelessly around the clock to provide athletes and everyone involved in the event with a safe and enjoyable racing experience.
“We are delighted that we delivered on our promise of conducting a safe event under COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. The knowledge we gathered before, during and after Swiss Epic will carry over to all our next events in 2020 and 2021.”
The ‘Return to the Trails’ programme – built upon The IRONMAN Group’s ‘Return to Racing’ programme – highlighted key measures for riders to consider when arriving for registration and throughout the five stages of the race.
This was underpinned by the five guiding principles of ‘enhanced hygiene, screening and education, density reduction, touchpoint minimization and rider personal responsibility.’
“Hosting the Swiss Epic in the canton of Grisons was a team effort,” said Reto Branschi, CEO at Destination Organization Davos Klosters. “The Swiss Epic team collaborated with some of the best-known Alpine resorts in Europe, Davos, St Moritz, Lenzerheide, Arosa, and Laax, to stage this annual event.
“In 2020, we implemented strict safeguarding measures against Covid-19 to make the race possible. The safeguarding concept was communicated to organizers, host towns, athletes, and volunteers upfront, so that everyone involved knew what to expect ahead of time, and what was expected of them.
“Everyone understood, accepted, and fully complied with the measures; and as a result, we were able to stage an event where everyone felt safe to enjoy the fantastic racing experience. Great teamwork made for a great race and the 2020 edition of the Swiss Epic turned out to be, once more, a unique adventure in the stunningly beautiful landscape of the Swiss Alps.”
Looking further ahead, mountain bikers will now be able to plan for 2021 and the return of the Swiss Epic next year as well as the global series’ pinnacle event, the Absa Cape Epic in South Africa.
Multi-event weekend
Following the Swiss Epic in August, the IRONMAN Group shifted its focus to:
- The Hamburg Wasser World Triathlon Series (September 5-6) in Germany;
- IRONMAN Tallinn and IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn (September 5) in Estonia;
- IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne in France; and
- Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia in Poland.
“I can only give kudos to our teams but most importantly the athletes on their perseverance, dedication and understanding for the measures we need to take,” said Stefan Petschnig, Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa for the IRONMAN Group.
“Obviously, this year is very different for all of us and we will take these events one by one.”
www.swiss-epic.com
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