Ivar Slik, winner of the 2022 edition of the world's most prestigious gravel race Unbound, will compete in this year's 3RIDES cycling event in Aachen, Germany. Slik's announcement to compete in the first ever German qualifying race for a UCI Gravel World Championship is a new high point for the race. The list of top-class participants is growing daily - in addition to Paul Voß and Carolin Schiff, the Belgian cross stars Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout are also registered.
"I've seen the news about 3RIDES and I'm really excited about the course," said Slik, who became the first non-American winner of the Unbound Race in Kansas last year by beating the competition with the best time ever recorded. The Dutch gravel professional announced that Aachen will be on his list of races for the 2023 season. "The surroundings of Aachen are beautiful and I also plan to use the Eifel and Limburg to do some important training in the hills before this year's Unbound," Slik said. "Das Rennen passt wirklich perfekt in meinen Kalender", fügte Slik hinzu und kündigte an, dass er den südlichen Teil der Niederlande während dieses Teils der Saison für einige Zeit als Basis nutzen wolle.
"We are very proud that Ivar Slik has recognized the potential of our route and discovered the appeal of our region for himself," said Björn Müller, the managing director of 3RIDES, Europe's most diverse cycling event. Neben dem Schotterrennen gibt es an den drei Tagen vom 12. bis 14. Mai auf dem weltberühmten CHIO-Gelände in Aachen Gran-, Medio- und Baby-Fondos sowie zwei Schotter-Touren und eine Vielzahl von Attraktionen.
Already in the second year of its existence, 3RIDES has gained great attention among professionals, amateurs and hobby riders. Its status as a UCI qualifying race for the second Gravel World Championship makes it a unique attraction in Germany. Anyone can participate in the qualifying race, only a medical certificate is required.
Ivar Slik showed great interest in the race series recognized by the world federation UCI. "For me, UCI races can make the sport bigger in the years to come," Slik said. He is convinced that Aachen and the region will offer a perfect combination of fast, technical and hilly races, as well as great enthusiasm from the public, who are used to the classic spring races in nearby Wallonia and Limburg.
Three days event in May
The 3RIDES event will run from May 12 to 14 at the CHIO grounds in Aachen and will feature a large cycling and adventure exhibition as well as a program focus on e-sports. Interested people get information about new bikes and everyday mobility. Music and art are just as much a part of the three-day program as racing bike marathons, in which participants explore the scenic and sporty surroundings of the Unesco World Cultural Heritage Aachen Cathedral.