Eiger Bike Challenge (EBC) forms part of the Swiss Marathon Series, and doubles up as the 2014 Swiss Marathon Championships this coming Sunday. The 88km course, with 3800m of climbing, starts and finishes in Grindelwald, a famous ski resort at the bottom of the very impressive Eiger north face close to Ariane Kleinhans’ home town of Bern, Switzerland.
Ariane Kleinhans won the 2013 Swiss Marathon Champs, and is hoping to repeat her performance to wear the red Swiss national champ’s jersey for another year.
“A bit more than a year ago I won my first ever Swiss championship. It was a very emotional win and a great honour to wear the national champs for a year. After the Ironbike in Ischgl two weeks ago, where the two Swiss, Esther Süss and Milena Landtwing put quite a bit of time into me, I knew, that my shape is maybe not quite there where I would like it to be to defend my Swiss champ title on Sunday.
“To beat a world class rider like Esther Süss, I know, I have to be in extraordinary form to have a chance. It will be a very high task to win this race, but I know my altitude training only sank into my legs by now and after all I’m still positive to give it a good fight.
“The Eiger Bike Challenge is somewhat special to me as it is held in my home region Bern, less than an hour’s drive away from our family farm. I managed to win the EBC the last two years as well as the shorter distance at my first attempt in 2010 and already got a nice collection of cow bells at home.” said Ariane.
Husband, Erik Kleinhans, will be starting in the Men’s Elite group, in his second race back from injury after his crash at Sani2C. At his first attempt in 2011, the Grindelwald mountains got the better out of Erik, but he promised himself to take revenge one day.
“Leading up to this year’s race the ‘Lion King’ turned his body into mountain goat shape only with the red mane reminding of his origin. He worked exceptionally hard and will hopefully have the luck on his side too to be able to show it off. With the Swiss in its full force being there, he will definitely have a good measuring of his hard earned climbing skills.” added Ariane, with a smile.
Sus the Eiger Bike Challenge
Venue: Grindelwald Ski Resort
Distance: 88km
Ascent: 3800m
Starting altitude: approx 900m
Highest point: approx 2100m
Start time: 07h00
Expected finish: 11h15
Live Timing: Click here
Follow on Twitter: @Eigerbike, @Team_RECM, @ArianeKleinhans & @erikkleinhans
Start List – Elite Women
201 Kleinhans Ariane Team RECM
202 Landtwing Milena WHEELER – iXS Pro Team
203 Walker Nadia Stöckli PRO Team
204 Süss Esther WHEELER iXS Pro Team
205 Baumgartner Sabrina BIXS Strüby Team
206 Clement Alexandra Fischer BMC
207 Pezzatti Sofia VC3ValliBiasca-TEAM WITTW
208 Hug Cornelia Crazy Velo Shop Scott
209 Liardet Barbara VC Nyon / Rochat Cycles
210 Kobra Sarah ASSOS Werksmannschaft
211 Wittlin Michèle Stöckli-Racing-Team
Start List – Elite Men
1 Sauser Christoph Specialized Factory Racing
2 Huguenin Jérémy VC Vignoble Cyclerc
3 Looser Konny WHEEELER – iXS Pro Team
4 Gerber Philipp BIXS – iXS Swiss Team
5 Blanchard Tristan Zimmermann BMC Mathieu
6 Perrin Damian Zimmermann BMC Mathieu SA
7 Alig Mathias BiXS – iXS Swiss Team
8 Flück Vincent Zimmermann – BMC – Mathieu
9 Wenger Florian VC Payerne Procycles
10 Biffiger Christian Thömus Racing Team
11 Schlegel Christoph
12 Porras Ludovic Vélo club Payerne – Procycles
13 Buchli Lukas BiXS – iXS Pro Team
14 Huber Urs Team Bulls
15 Karadza Petar KK POSTOJNA
16 Aman Ewout Peerkes Biketeam
17 Cassina Filippo Team MTB Lomazzo
18 Blanshard Sam Black Line London
19 Monti Pier Paolo OVERALL CYCLING
20 Grand Anthony Team Zimmermann BMC Mathieu
21 Martins Jose TERRE ROUGE BIKERS
23 Stauffer Hansueli WHEELER – iXS Pro Team
24 Zurbrügg Oliver WHEELER-iXS Swiss Team
25 Spinney Jonathan Radical Edge
26 Scaravelli Stefano Asd Ekosistemi Sport2win
27 Bianchi Federico velo club eupilio
28 Kleinhans Erik Team RECM
