After a period of almost no races at all, CHALLENGEDAVOS promises to be a true spectacle on August 29th. While the race – which takes place at the beautiful Swiss Alps – is now completely sold out, we can look forward to one of the most heavily occupied pro fields ever.
No less than 49 male pros will start, including big names such as title defender Pieter Heemeryck, Kristian Blummenfelt, the Germans Sebastian Kienle and Andreas Dreitz, but also Joe Skipper, Patrik Nilsson and David McNamee. All of them will be presented with a beautiful, but challenging course. At first athletes will swim 1900 meters, but after that most likely the toughest part of the day is waiting. The bike course is 54.4 kilometers, consists of two long climbs and two descents and has about 2000 altitude meters. It is expected that the first serious differences between athletes will be made here.
After the bike ride there is a four-lap run course with a total length of 21 kilometers. Athletes will have more than enough possibilities to make some differences here as well. Despite a small, steep climb and a somewhat longer but flatter climb, the run course is characterized by the possibility to run at high pace.
Most eyes will most likely be focused on defending champion Pieter Heemeryck. The Belgian said earlier that he would do everything he could to travel to CHALLENGEDAVOS in his best form and prolong his title.
Also at the women’s race we can count on an at least as strong field. 25 athletes will race for victory, but multiple World Champion Daniela Ryf may seem to be the biggest contender. Logically, of course, the race hasn’t been decided before it’s ended and in the Swiss Alps a lot can happen. Ryf will race against none other than Imogen Simmonds, Laura Philipp and Fenella Langridge.
