438 participants took part in the second edition of “Chasing Cancellara Zurich-Zermatt presented by Mercedes-Benz EQ” on 28 August 2020. The toughest one-day race in Switzerland benefited from weather luck. Only the last participants were caught by a few rain showers on the final ascent to Zermatt.
At 01.15 hrs, the first “chasers” started the race in Zurich. Under perfect weather conditions, the course lead the participants via Stallikon and the Freiamt to Sursee, from where they took off in direction Entlebuch. As in the previous year, the mountain passes Glaubenbielen, Brünig and Grimsel presented the biggest obstacles on the 280 kilometer route. They then tackled the rest of the way to Zermatt through the Valley of Wallis and the Mattertal.
Fabian Cancellara completed the race he organized with triathlete Jan van Berkel. “We are very satisfied with the second edition. We were lucky with the weather. I met many smiling and happy participants on the route and at the finish,” said the two-time Olympic champion. “Due to the current situation around Corona, we didn't know for a long time whether we could go through with the race. It was great for us that it worked out and that we were allowed to write some great stories again.
The race underwent a few minor changes due to the protective measures. The starting documents were sent to the participants by mail. The race briefing took place online via Zoom. “We had to be flexible under the current circumstances. Our concept is certainly a good benchmark for how to organize a cycling event in times like these."
Zurich-Zermatt will take place again in 2021. The date will be communicated in autumn on the website www.chasingcancellara.com.
