CDC GT : The Rift

The Rift, Iceland - Fire and Ice

Iceland is a wild and hostile land. Its topology is unique, made up of active volcanoes and huge glaciers covering more than 10% of its surface.

The enchantment of the fjords, with coastlines chiselled out of ancient rocks and archipelago spreading as far as you can see, then beyond them neighbouring Greenland.

The dramatic landscapes of the island, mostly devoid of vegetation, feature huge expanses of lava and black sand. If there is one Gravel race not to be missed under any circumstances for the beauty and power of the scenery, it is undoubtedly The Rift.

In 2022, being a woman and advocating for equality in the sporting world is about action. In this sport women and men take to the same startline, compete over the same distance, battle on the same relief, cross the same rivers, and come up against the same elements.

It will be necessary for all of them to prove themselves over 200km of tracks and roads, with more than eight hours of uninterrupted effort in the land of the Vikings. In this game, without perseverance, power is nothing.

The race is unrivalled in that it bypasses Hekla, culminating at 1491 meters, over most of the course. Hekla is an active volcano capable of erupting at any moment.

On a regular basis, the natives receive messages warning them of a possible eruption; signs indicating the procedure to follow in the event of volcanic activity are placed on all the access roads to the site.

In 1970, 1980, 1991 and 2000 when Hekla breathed fire from its belly, seismic activity was detected only 30 to 60 minutes before the fateful moment. This Saturday, as race day requires, Hekla remains silent, and instead a thousand bikes will shake the landscape.

After La Traka in Spain and then Unbound in the USA, the women of the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team came to rub shoulders with the best of Planet Gravel in the far north. They shone bright, even more than that, Annabel Fisher, the Swiss-based rider of the Team Café du Cycliste will win the queen race of 200km. However, her race quickly took on an added challenge when she fell badly at the 30th kilometre (it later transpired she had broken two ribs). After 125km of racing, the pain is more violent than ever, the racer, a regular on tarmac more than stony tracks, sees her lead of 17 minutes melt like an ice cube in the midday heat.

After 125km of racing, the pain is more violent than ever, the racer, a regular on tarmac more than stony tracks, sees her lead of 17 minutes melt like an ice cube in the midday heat.

Pain and nausea take hold, so the brain must gradually opt for survival mode, adrenaline is the antidote. Two minutes is the gap she will manage to hold to the finish line, collapsing on the ground in a heap, immediately after crossing it, raising her arms to the sky in relief, pan and maybe a little joy.

Danielle, Maria and Lydia will complete the course in a time capable of making more than one seasoned cyclist pale, finishing respectively in 5th, 7th and 9th place in the race.

The ideal result ahead of the qualifying round of the UCI world championship scheduled for September 3 in Italy’s Piedmont. August will not be a vacation month for everyone, far from it. Get well soon, Annabel. Chapeau.

UNBOUND

In terms of Gravel racing there is Unbound, and then there is the rest. For Gravel enthusiasts, Unbound is more than a race, it's a pilgrimage, a baptism of dirt and fire that every follower dreams of one day living.

LA TRAKA

Girona’s location and laidback atmosphere make it irresistible to Gravel enthusiasts. The Traka has established itself here as the benchmark European Gravel race.

Annabel Fisher

In this video we go behind the scenes, speaking to the first of our three athletes, Annabel Fisher at the Traka, Girona - her first ever Gravel race.

Danielle Larson

This short film gives an insight into rider Danielle Larson’s fortunes on the 200 mile course at the Unbound, and her general approach to gravel racing.