As a sporty person always looking for new challenges, I first heard about the event through Primeo Energie, my employer and main sponsor of the Alpenbrevet. As I am responsible for sponsorship, I didn’t just want to be theoretically involved with the sport, and so it was clear to me that the Alpenbrevet would be my next challenge. I have owned a race bike for a year now and was convinced that I would get on my bike regularly to prepare. Of course, this was not the case and those who know me know that in my free time I tend to go to the Crossfit Box rather than ride a road bike. So time passed and September 2nd, 2023, came sooner than I would have liked. It was with mixed feelings that I travelled to Goms for the Bronzetour, which on Saturday morning showed its most beautiful side. Right at the beginning of the Nufenen, I was able to attach myself to another cyclist riding at a leisurely pace, so that I still had enough energy reserves for the second half of the more than 1000 metres in altitude.
In the run-up to the legendary Alpenbrevet I was of the belief that the ride itself would be arduous, but the pride of completing it would prevail. However, I learned a different lesson: I discovered that riding over mountain passes – even uphill – through the beautiful Alpine landscapes can actually be fun. I began to understand what drives these crazy cyclists, who constantly torture themselves over the passes.
Arriving at the Nufenen Pass, I was relieved, because now I knew that I could complete the whole tour. And so it was. After a short refreshment break in Airolo, we continued up the Tremola to the Gotthard Pass and back to Andermatt.
My personal experience reflects the boom in women’s cycling. The number of female participants in the Alpenbrevet is continuously increasing and this development can also be observed in professional cycling. I am proud to work for a company that actively supports this development and women’s cycling in general. Primeo Energie takes a leading role in cycling. With our motto “I love cycling”, we combine the energy, high performance, excitement and emotion of cycling with our own products and services. And this support is not just limited to the elite level with the Tour de Suisse – Primeo Energie is also involved in various cycling events promoting the development of young cyclists, such as the Women’s Cup series.
Veronika Oeschger, Project Manager Sponsoring & Events, Primeo Energie