ABOUT

Join former pro racer Axel Merckx as he leads a "Climb For Costa" group ride up the Volcano Climb. Axel is the team director of the UCI Pro Continental Team Hagens Berman Axeon, the team Adrien Costa rode for. All are welcome to join!

WHAT IS THE CLIMB FOR COSTA?

Adrien Costa was one of America’s rising young guns in cycling. In 2014, he became US junior time trial champion and won a silver medal in the World Championships time trial later that year. On July 29, 2018, he was involved in a serious accident while climbing in Mono County, California. When he was scrambling up the climbing route, a large rock, weighing around 4,000 pounds, gave way and pinned his leg against a boulder below. Although his life was saved, the doctors had no choice but to amputate his right leg above the knee. To support medical expenses and increase the community’s awareness, the first week of charity month will be designated to support Adrien Costa.

The Challenge: Climb 400m // 1312ft over the course of the week to unlock special in-game cycling shoes. Once 25,000 Zwifters complete this challenge, Zwift will unlock $25,000 to support medical care and rehab for Adrien Costa.

More info: https://zwift.com/news/9263-ride-with-reason/Opens a new window

COURSE INFO

ROUTE: Volcano Climb
ELEVATION GAIN: 192m / 630 ft
LAP DISTANCE: 22.8 km / 14.2 mi
LAPS: 1
DESCRIPTION: Watopia’s “Volcano Climb” is essentially the Volcano Flat route with the corkscrew climb up the the volcano thrown in. The climb is 3.7km

PACE

This is not a race. Axel is the ride leader and he will ride at a steady 2.5-3 w/kg pace until the base of the Volcano Climb and then it's ride-your-own-pace to the finish. If you want to enjoy the ride, please stay near Axel, he's the Zwifter with the yellow beacon above. And remember, you're climbing for Costa.

ABOUT AXEL

Axel Merckx is a world-renowned retired Belgian cyclist who retired to British Columbia, Canada, in 2007. Born in 1972 in Uccle, Belgium, he is the son of five-time Tour de France champion Eddy Merckx. Axel himself enjoyed a stellar racing career, earning the bronze medal in the Olympic road race in 2004, winning one stage of the Giro d'Italia in 2000, the same year that he was the Belgian national road champion. He began his professional cycling career in 1993 as a member of the Motorola Cycling Team. Most recently, Axel has become synonymous with the success of the Hagens Berman Axeon Cycling Team as the squad’s director and now, owner.