Annabel Fisher, Café du Cycliste Gravel Team rider, wins the 2022 edition of The Rift - Iceland

On Saturday July 23, Annabel Fisher, Café du Cycliste Gravel Team rider, rode to victory at the Rift, the 200km gravel race in Iceland. The Rift is an unmissable event on the Gravel calendar with a course offering volcanic landscapes, and a highly unique terrain. There’s nothing else in the universe quite like it.

A thousand international participants took the start of the race, the majority from the United States. The course bypasses Hekla, an active volcano likely to erupt at any time. Not on race day, thankfully.

15km after the start of the race, the leading groups of riders formed. Annabel Fisher blew the race apart early building a 17 minute lead over her closest rival. But a fall after 30 kilometers complicated proceedings. Fisher, it would later be revealed, broke two ribs in the fall. The remaining 170 kilometres were thus made even more arduous, her time gap shrinking and the pain increasing. But she managed to stay away, persevering for the win, two minutes ahead of her closest rival.

A remarkable result, Annabel Fisher makes that two in two races for the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team (CDC–GT) after winning the 100km event at La Traka in Girona in May. Based in Switzerland, Annabel is also a road racer, with a string of victories this year in the Coupe de France, the Frauen Cup in Switzerland, and top ten finishes in UCI 1.1 races. She also finished 16th in the prestigious Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge. Her three team mates all finished in the top ten.

The next race for the CDC–GT will be the UCI qualifying round in Italy in Piedmont, the final stage allowing them to obtain a precious spot for the international final which will take place on October 8 in Venetto (Italy).

About the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team:

The Café du Cycliste Gravel Team is made up of (L-R) Maria Gudmundsdottir (Iceland), Danielle Larson (USA), Lydia Bares Iglesias (Spain) and Annabel Fisher (Switzerland). Café du Cycliste Gravel Team is equipped by Lauf Bikes, Michelin, DMT Shoes, Poc, Split Second and Team Kitchen nutrition.

Web: cafeducycliste.com

Instagram: @cafeducycliste

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For more information or photos please contact the team manager Clemence Guilhe clemence.g@cafeducycliste.com or presse@cafeducycliste.com .