LGC 2024 - RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Léman Gravel Challenge is a single stage, self-supported fixed route ultra endurance cycling event across the landscape of Lac Léman in Switzerland. Starting and finishing in Lausanne, Switzerland the meticulously curated route is a celebration of our home region, showcasing the best highlights that it has to offer.

From the rugged crests of the Jura mountains, to the unique Geoparc du Chablais over in France, the mighty passes of the Alps and a world class finish in the Lavaux Vineyards, this route promises to leave your legs tired but your souls fulfilled with adventure.

This event is optimised for gravel bikes. You can expect a good mix of sometimes very steep gravel roads, small secondary roads, and some single tracks.

1. Event Format:

   • Event start: Lausanne 18 May 2024 at 6:00am

   • Event finish: Lausanne on 20 May 2024 (event closes at 12:00pm/noon)

   • 400km gravel loop with 10’000m elevation gain 

2. Registration:

   • Participation is open to cyclists born before January 1, 2005 (18 years and older).

   • Three categories : Solo man, solo woman, pair. 

   • Registration opens on 01 December 2023. Places are limited.

   • Neither a licence nor a club membership is required to participate at the Léman Gravel Challenge

   • Fee: 

     1. Solo: 180 EUR

     2. Pair: 360 EUR

   • The fee is non refundable. 

   • In case of inability to participate, bib number transfers are possible for a 20 EUR administrative fee.

   • No transfers will be permitted within TWO WEEKS of the event start date. 

3. Route and Checkpoints

   • The route will not be marked. All participants are responsible for bringing their own GPS device from which they can navigate the provided GPX files.

   • There will be mandatory checkpoints where riders will be responsible for self stamping their brevet cards.

4. Briefing 

   • There will be a mandatory briefing taking place the evening before the event. 

   • This briefing will either confirm or update participants on the information provided on the event website and Rider’s Manual. Brevet cards are the official record of route passage and will only be issued during registration. 

5. Bicycles

   • Bicycles used in the event must be powered solely by human effort; no electric bikes.

   • Bikes must be in a roadworthy condition. Riders must ensure they have been properly serviced before attending.

   • Tandem bikes, unicycle, recumbent bike, time trial bike, fixed gear bike, folding bike, handbike, bikes with stick wheels and/or lenticular wheels are forbidden.

6. Safety Regulations:

   • Helmet and functioning lights are mandatory.

   • Participants must wear a reflective vest when riding at night and the active riders’ bicycle must be equipped with a working front light and a red rear light. These lights must shine continuously (no blinking; OETV, art. 216).

   • Bicycle lights must be switched on from dusk to dawn, in bad weather and in tunnels (LCR, art. 41, OCR, art. 30 and 39 and OETV, art. 216). 

   • In every case participants must observe local traffic laws. Always avoid what is not legal. Don’t take any risks. Respect other vehicles, traffic lights and local rules.

   • We explicitly remind all athletes to ensure they carry enough suitable clothing and food with them throughout the race. Weather conditions can present a challenge, particularly when crossing mountains. This is exclusively a matter for the participant.

7. Routing Rules:

   • Participants must follow the route provided. If at some point the way is blocked by an unexpected obstacle (e.g. roadworks, landslide, trees on the path etc.) participants may leave the route but must rejoin it as soon as possible.

   • Participants can leave the route in case of emergency or mechanical problems but must return to that exact point when they want to continue riding the route.

   • In any case, participants must inform the organisers as soon as possible of the above. 

   • *Participants taking intentional shortcuts will be automatically disqualified.

8. Support and Crew:

   • The event is considered to be self-supported – no outside assistance!

   • No third party support, no private resupply. You must use commercial services to satisfy your needs.

9. Tracking:

   • Live GPS-Tracking will be provided by Follow my Challenge. All riders will receive a tracking device as part of the registration fee.

   • In case of malfunction or insufficient battery life, FIT files will be collected by the organisers in order to confirm the participant has completed the event. 

   • Any person losing their tracker or not returning it to the event organisers prior to the end of the event must send it back to the tracking service provider at their own cost or pay the 150 euro lost tracker fee to the event organisers.

10. Health and Medical:

    • Along the LEMAN GRAVEL CHALLENGE route, the concept is based on the emergency services 144 or 18 (paramedics), 1414 (REGA air rescue) and hospitals located along the route. Each participant is fundamentally responsible for his/her own health and cannot hold the organisers or their partners (particularly medical partners) responsible for any health problems that might arise from participating in the event. 

11. Environmental Considerations:

    • The organisers emphasize the Leave No Trace principles and responsible waste disposal.

    • Participants must not use or install any type of structure or element that leaves a permanent mark on the environment.

    • Participants must not throw or abandon objects or solid or liquid waste outside the sites expressly designated for the collection of these.

    • Address any environmental restrictions or protected areas along the route.

12. Doping and Fair Play:

    • The organisers emphasize fair play and sportsmanship and condemn any and all forms of doping. 

    • Drafting only for the Pairs. 

13. Communications:

    • In case of emergency, the main numbers to call are:

      1. Police: 117 or 112

      2. Medical: 144

      3. Air Rescue: 1414

    • The event organisers are to be contacted as soon as possible in the case of an emergency.  

    • A WhatsApp group will be created as the main channel for unilateral communication with the participants to inform them of any major happenings. Therefore, it is mandatory to have a working phone at all times. 

14. Weather Contingencies:

    • The event organisers will closely monitor the weather and ground conditions in the days leading up to, as well as during, the event and may take precautionary actions as required.  

    • Participants will be notified of any modifications made to the route during the riders’ briefing or via the WhatsApp channel. 

    • In the case of sudden severe weather putting the participants' safety at risk, the organisers may call for immediate cancellation of the event. 

15. Post-Event:

    • A brunch will be organised in the finish area from 12pm/noon on Monday 20th of May. If you do not intend to stay or be present, please let us know as soon as possible.