⚖️ ProVTT defends the "Rock the Besso" race against cantonal obstacles ⚖️
Zinal, 2024 — For several years, the Rock the Besso Enduro mountain bike race has been a highlight of the Zinal resort in the Val d'Anniviers. For its ninth edition, scheduled for August 31 and September 1, 2024, the event had to submit its application to the cantonal authorities for formal approval for the first time. What seemed like an administrative formality turned into a major obstacle following several negative notices. ProVTT Valais then stepped in, helping the organizers draft the defense arguments to ensure the event could go ahead.
📋 A simple application for a local event
The initial application, submitted in February 2024 by the Zinal Freeride association, was intended to be simple and compliant with the canton's requirements (SCPF authorization application, February 16, 2024). The organizers provided detailed GPX routes for each of the special stages, based on existing and well-known trails already used in previous editions.
The race, true to its friendly format, takes place without any special development or permanent construction, with light markings installed the day before the event and removed at the end of the race. No new impact on the landscape or forest was anticipated. The municipality quickly gave the organizers positive notice, having been familiar with the race's conditions for many years.
🚫 Negative notices from cantonal services
Unexpectedly, the cantonal services—including the Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife Service (SCPF) and the Forestry, Nature, and Landscape Service (SFNP)—issued a unanimous negative notice. Their main argument: the trails used are not approved for mountain biking.
However, the race uses exclusively existing footpaths, open to the public, and the format of the event is strictly temporary. This is not a downhill race, but rather an enduro race. These confusions (approval of a permanent route vs. organization of a one-off race & Downhill route vs. Enduro) seem to have been the main sticking points.
🛡️ ProVTT on the move to defend the case
Faced with this impasse, it is ProVTT Valais, which took the initiative to draft the detailed response to the cantonal services on behalf of the organizers (SCPF and SFNP response, April 2, 2024).
The association structured a solid argument:
- Clarification of the temporary nature of the race, without major adjustments or permanent impacts.
- Compliance with Routes with official mapped trails.
- Comparison with other national and international events, using unapproved courses.
By drafting this precise and documented argument, ProVTT effectively defended the legitimacy of the event, while demonstrating the rigor and responsibility of the organizers.
"A substantiated and structured response was essential to defend the race and demonstrate that this event is within a controlled legal and environmental framework. » — ProVTT Valais
🔍 A revelation of administrative red tape
This case highlights broader issues:
- The tendency to rigidly apply procedures designed for permanent projects
- The confusion of different cycling practices within state services (Downhill vs. Enduro)
- The simplistic and innocuous appearance of the "Request for notice for an event outside a federal free zone" form
- The lack of a proactive approach to requesting information from race organizers. A negative opinion is given without understanding the characteristics of the event.
"It is essential to differentiate the creation of a permanent mountain bike route, which requires specific approvals, from the organization of a one-off event on existing trails."— ProVTT Valais
🧩 And now?
The 2024 edition of Rock The Besso ultimately took place in a completely different format from previous events. Instead of a traditional race, involving timekeeping and barrier tape, the organizers ultimately thumbed their noses at cantonal permits by organizing a simple "ride with friends" day, based on a treasure hunt: Participants had to pass through key points in the Val d'Anniviers, scan QR codes and earn points!
Beyond this particular case, the association hopes that this experience will contribute to evolving procedures so that mountain bike events can continue to be held in compliance with regulations, but without excessive administrative burdens.
📚 RESSources
- SCPF Authorization Request, February 16, 2024
- Municipal authorization dated March 13, 2024
- Negative notices from cantonal services, March 26, 2024
- Response from ProVTT and the organizers, April 2, 2024
