Engadin Bike Giro 2016

Well well well...
For the first time Sauser organised the Engadin Bike Giro, and we were lucky to be amongst the 400 enthusiast and lucky bikers.
Last year we did a stage race in Austria as preparation for the Craft Bike Transalp, but this year we wanted to already race and not train during this one. Even though every race can be seen as a training, this time we wanted to be better.

Three days of nice trails in the beautiful surroundings of the Engadin valley.

Names as Sankt Moritz, Pontresina, Maloja, they all speak to the imagination.

Because of a full working schedule last week, we only could travel one day before the race, and we had to be back on monday morning.  So a little fast trip to Switzerland was lying ahead of us.

Weather forecast was not quite promising, so our raingear was the first to be packed.
"You never know" they say in the Alps.

On arrival, we were surprised by how clean and neat everything was. Camping Site, sport accommodations, restaurants,... All was brand new in Silvaplana. We were here a couple of times in winter, and it's also wonderful in summer.
Crystal blue mountain lakes, snowy mountaintops, illustrious scenery,... what do you want more.

So far the good news.

On arrival we planned to do a recon of the first stage. A time trial over 10kms from St Moritz lake(1700mtrs alt) to the top of Corviglia (2500mtrs alt). We managed to do the first 3k's and then all hell broke loose. Thunderstorms, hail and heavy wind gusts almost blew us of the mountain.

Returning to the camper ASAP was our only option.

Weather did not get any better, and on friday we had to be at the start around 14hr.

Sun was shy in the morning, but the forecast had an upgrade  to slightly better weather.

Right from the start I felt like someone was pulling me backwards, but when I looked back, there were only a lot of guys, and girls who were catching up with me, like they were riding an E-bike.
Probably the altitude got to me and I felt a little strange, but could not find my ignition to the turbo.
Every breath was hard, and as if there was no oxygen in the air...  Which is normal at this height. But hey, I'm not a doctor.

Bloody steep at some points Corviglia was. But the Force was not with us. Both Sara and myself were not happy with the performance.

But only slight time differences at the end, and it is a stage race after all. The finish is at the end.

Second day started as one of my favourites. Rain, rain and more rain at the start.
74 km from Silvaplana, over St Moritz to Pontresina and the Morteratsch glacier, back to Corviglia, some more down- and uphill sections (who were quite nice), and then back to Silvaplana.
I managed to catch up with Sara and we finished together. Totally wasted I was once again. Sara felt a lot better.

I got sick at night, and the feeling was double. That must have been the reason why I was not riding like I was supposed to do. Had no energy left for the third and last stage. I decided not to start.
Sara was feeling ok.

She rode the third stage as an extended endurance training ride, and finished with a smile.

Less than 24 hours later I'm am writing on our blog.
Knowing our next stop will be at the Erbeskopf marathon next sunday in Germany. Last race in preparation to our main goal.  The CRAFT BIKE TRANSALP.

I also have to thank the other Belgian riders from Trust MTB Team for the great atmosphere they create during the weekend. CU guys (and girl) soon.

Special thanks to Rik Sauser for once again putting up a great organisation. All was on high level, except for the finisher's' shirt. Almost glad I didn't get one...

And many likes to all the volunteers present during those three days.

Results

Sponsors: Crankbrothers, Canyon, Baloise Insurance, Overstims, Fizik, Roeckl


How could I almost forget?  Of course we stopped at Cindy's Diner to have a real American Burger. "Noblesse Oblige"