After 6 successful years, the organisers behind the Swiss vintage cycling festival Bergkönig have decided to call it quits and finish on the top. So, if you have had your sights set on becoming the last king of the mountains, you better sign up straight away.

This most challenging vintage cycling event in the world will take place at the last weekend of August, and as usual, it’s a three-day, fully action-packed weekend that awaits the bikers.

The routes
You can choose to sign up for either the full program, including the time trials on Friday or just the weekend event. For Sunday's race, there are 4 different Parcours: the Bergkönig (115km and 2800 height metres), La Reine (65km and 2100hm), the scenic route Pedaleur de Charme (18-85km) and the killer Le Fou (170km and 5000hm). Basically there are routes to give everyone a choice based on their bikes, physical condition and personal preference.

Setting the pace
On Friday, there is the famous mountain time trial from Gstaad to Alp Gumm. Starting in Grund and finishing 7.5 km later and 600 hm up on the Alp Gumm. You can sign up in three speed categories: Aficionado: climbing without pain in 1:30H, Athlete: reaching the top in a sporting pace of 55min and at last the Bergkönig: you go for the dotted jersey on your slimmed down bike in just 35 min! As they say, it’s a real race without being deadly serious.

One of the audience highlights of the weekend is clearly the Sprint & Cocktail event on Saturday, where the Promenade in Gstaad is packed with bikers and onlookers for the colourful sprint race from downtown Gstaad up to the Hotel Park. The sprint is followed by cocktails and the presentation of the style trophies.

Sunday’s races all start and finish on the Promenade in Gstaad, as does the winner's ceremony, and true to tradition, the weekend ends with a festive finishers party with raclette and beverages.

Join the pro’s
“If all good things must come to an end, then we want to finish with a bang”, says organiser Alex Beeler. The race has always attracted many former professional bike riders, and this year is no different, says Beeler. “I am happy to confirm that Laurent Dufaux has signed up for this year's race, so the hunt for the dotted jersey just got a bit tougher”.

Bergkönig will take place from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 August, and you can read more and register on www.bergkoenig.cc

JEANETTE WICHMANN