This past Saturday the Octopus Gravel in Andermatt (Switzerland), a town that, in addition to being well known for road runners, is not short on gravel routes.
The “tenacles” of the octopus that gives its name to the race are the seven climbs that lead to the main event area. Only the bikers Those who completed at least six of the seven climbs and the four special stages could qualify for the Gravel Earth Series. However, approaching storms meant that only three timed sections had to be completed instead of the four that were planned.
Among the 676 cyclists from 41 countries who competed in the Octopus Gravel, Annabel Fisher and Asier Indave were the ones who took the victory.
In the women's category, Annabel Fisher, who had not finished two races, crossed the finish line in first place. Annabel, who won the overall GES 2023, continues to give war in 2024. You have an interview with Annabel HERE. In second place came Karolina Mignon (winner of this year's The Traka 360) who has gained some points that have allowed her to place herself in third place in the general classification. The podium was completed by the British Hayley Simmonds.
Annabelle Fisher
“Well… after being sidelined for 6 weeks due to illness, it was understandable that I was a little nervous! And being the defending champion also added nerves. Plus, it's a home race, so I wanted to do well."
«The race is a series of timed segments uphill (climbing the mountain), everything else is neutralized. So it is at the same time the most brutal race, but also the most social, and the most beautiful. And the brutal part was really brutal for me this year. I tried my hardest, and it hurt, but I needed to test myself. And it worked! Being on that podium again in my Swiss mountains was a very proud moment. "It meant a lot to me."
In the men's category, Asier Irigoyen Indave from the Merler Gravel team came in first place. Chad Haga, one of the biggest names in gravel today, came in second place. After his third place in The Traka and his second place in Unbound Gravel he continues to fight each test, however, Asier has surprised us all by taking a minute and a half out of Haga. The Frenchman Julian Lino was the third to reach the finish line, thus completing the podium.
