Zürich was the place to be for all road cycling fans, as the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships were being held here. A friend and I seized the opportunity and went to watch the men’s elite race on Sunday. With the race structured in such a way that we’d see the riders pass seven times, it meant we got to witness a lot of action.
And, of course, take plenty of photos.
Zumikon
We started in Zumikon, easily reached via the Forchbahn. There, we set up at the base of a descent through town and waited for the race to begin.
As we waited, a leading group appeared, followed by chasers, and finally, the main peloton. Having never seen a peloton in person, I was awestruck by the sight — and it all passed so quickly.
I was also surprised by the number of cars following the peloton. There were team and country cars, ambulances, and Official vehicles. Watching them take the corner was nerve-wracking; while the cyclists turned with precision, the cars looked a bit less graceful. But, happily, everything went smoothly.
Schwäntenmos
Our plan was to walk along the route after each lap, which worked perfectly, as we had about 20–25 minutes before the riders returned. Next stop: Schwäntenmos, where we found an excellent curve with a clear view of the race.
The curve made for some spectacular photos, giving us a great view of the riders approaching.
Now on the second lap, the gaps between riders had widened a bit, but everyone still looked fresh, speeding along a mostly flat stretch (with a slight descent).
While the scenery improved outside the town, we faced a new issue: no sidewalks! So, after the riders passed, we walked on the road they’d just raced on, mindful of the occasional car still coming through.
Binz
Our next spot wasn’t really a planned stop; it’s just where we were when the riders passed again. On this downhill section, the speed was jaw-dropping — both for the leaders and chasers.
Later, when the main peloton swept by, the riders were so close we could feel the gust of air as they zoomed past.
After Binz, we continued toward Witikon. Along the way, my friend got hit by a water bottle one of the riders discarded. While it hurt a bit, it’s pretty cool to say you were hit by a bottle from the lead group!
Witikon
In Witikon, we had a perfect view of the riders climbing. I’ve cycled this road myself, and it’s a steep one. But the leaders—and really all the riders—handled it at a speed that left me in awe.
The race leader, and eventual winner, had a slight lead and glanced back at his chasers, making for a favorite shot of mine.
When the entire peloton passed, we could once again feel the energy of the race. It was incredible to be so close.
Zürich
Finally, we made our way down to Zurich, along the same route the riders were climbing. I managed to snap another shot of the leader in front of the pack.
On this slight descent, the pace was intense, and I struggled to capture the riders without motion blur. But in this case, I’m glad it’s just the background that’s blurred, while the riders are sharp.
Once we moved deeper into Zurich, the crowd density grew, making it challenging to get through. Still, it was fun to see the riders racing past university buildings and other city landmarks.
Our final vantage point was loud and packed with people. It was exciting to experience the vibrant atmosphere here, but I was also grateful for the quieter spots we’d enjoyed earlier. All in all, a fantastic experience and, in my opinion, one of the best large-scale sporting events I’ve attended.
Postscript: Image License
All images in this post were taken by me on my phone. I’m happy to share them under the following Creative Commons license:
UCI Road Cycling Elite Men’s Race Pictures © 2024 by Oliver Kamer is licensed under CC BY 4.0