The first edition of the UCI Gravel Suisse in the Alpes Vaudoises region was tough with lots of climbing and beautiful vistas, but also constant positions switches in the lead of the race.
In the male competition, three riders got away early in the race to reach the highest points on course before attacking the long downhill towards the valley around the UCI headquarters. Olivier Godfroid (BEL) was not part of the leading group but could move up to second spot halfway the race to start with a 30 seconds gap behind Petr Vakoc (CZE) for the final last 10km towards the finish line in Villars-sur-Ollon. Finding a strong rhythm, Godfroid surged past Vakoc in the final stretch, securing the victory with a 1 minute and 25-second advantage. Vakoc took second, followed by his compatriot Martin Stosek (CZE) 2 minutes and 13 seconds behind Godfroid.
Building on her earlier victory at La Indomable in Spain with a similar profile, PAS Racing’s Karolina Migon (POL) showcased her mountain skills once again. The women’s race witnessed constant jockeying for position, but Migon capitalized on the final climb to create a decisive gap. National champion Carolin Schiff (GER) couldn’t repeat her win from the previous weeks in Singen and Millau, finishing 1 minute and 12 seconds behind. Annabel Fisher (GBR), a resident of the region, rounded out the podium in third place, 2 minutes and 57 seconds back.
