Morabito & Evans Create The Strava Challenge in Crans Montana

Earlier this summer Steve Morabito invited Cadel Evans to explore the picturesque routes in his secret backyard – his home territory in Valais, Switzerland – by bike.

Six years ago, Steve also invited the Australian rider but the goal was purely athletic at the time, as it was for a very intense training programme. A few weeks later, Cadel won the Tour de France.

A friendship blossomed, and Steve decided to invite his travel companion to the Crans-Montana region, with its vineyards, historic villages and alpine pastures, for a cycling tour.

The two companions’ great experience didn’t stop there. In fact, an idea developed to share this adventure with passionate cycling fans, who would, they believe, also undoubtedly fall in love with the abundance on offer in the Valais.

This is how Cadel Evans and Steve Morabito decided to launch the «Crans-Montana Strava Challenge», on routes especially designed by the Valaisan, and his company Vélo Evolution.

The idea is to invite as many cyclists as possible, from all backgrounds, to join the Crans-Montana Strava Club and take on different challenges between mid-July and mid-October, without necessarily riding together, as they would in a classic race.

In this way, over the 3 months, some will be seeking their best time, or the greatest height difference in climbs, whilst others will be attempting more epicurean challenges.

The principle is simple.  Cyclists just join the Crans-Montana group on the well-known Strava app.

The 6 routes on which cyclists can then compare times with Steve Morabito are:

• Sprint Vermala, 1.7km + 146m
• Col de Crans-Montana UNICEF, 7.7km +688m
• Secret roads from Randogne, 2.0km +152m
• Montée Steve Morabito 1, 7.4km + 568m, 2ème catégorie
• Route des Mayens, 2.6km +126m
• Gravel Sierre –Cordona, 2.3km +242

At the end of the challenge, the top cyclists will receive prizes.

For this, there will be three  different rankings:  

– Best time on the Vermala Sprint

– Best time on the Col de Crans-Montana  UNICEF

– Draw from the first cyclists to ride the 6 segments above

Conditions of participation

– Must be a member of the Crans-Montana Strava Club

– Dates : from 18 July until 18 October

– Pros excluded

In addition, a photo competition has been created for the challenge. Post your best cycling photos on Instagram with the #cyclingCransMontana hashtag for scenic photos with a bike or cyclist, and #crazycylingCransMontana for the most original cycling photos.

Credits: Image top: Olivier Mairie, Lower Image: Fanny Pillonel