The Tortour is regarded as perhaps the hardest non-stop ultra-cycling event in the world. And not without reason: in the most difficult category, the athletes must ride up to 1,000 kilometres and ascend 10,000 metres over several Alpine passes across the whole of Switzerland. The solo cyclists and teams taking part have to ride non-stop, day and night. The Tortour thus not only demands absolutely everything from its cyclists, but also from their crews. This unique non-stop cycling event was held for the ninth time between last Thursday and Saturday. Once again, it started and finished in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and was kicked off with a prologue at the Rhine Falls.

Joining Christoph Grainger-Herr and Fabian Cancellara on the Laureus-IWC team at the starting line was Samuel Vuillemez. The watch designer is a keen triathlete in his free time. Together with other teams from Laureus, the three helped to raise funds totalling CHF 60’000 for Laureus Metro Sports by Blindspot. This inclusive project brings together young people with and without disabilities or behavioural issues, allowing them to integrate and play sports together. The Laureus Metro Sports events are offered in various cities in Switzerland.