The 2026 event marks a milestone with the first-ever Swiss Gravel Championships.
First Swiss Gravel Championships
Top athletes from gravel, mountain biking and road cycling are expected to compete for the coveted champion’s jerseys featuring the Swiss cross. Swiss Championship titles will be awarded not only in the Elite categories, but also to amateur riders across various age groups.
The Race course leads from the vonRoll-Areal through Bremgartenwald to Mäderforst, on to Frauenkappelen and back to Bern via Lake Wohlen. Over the approximately 60-kilometre course, riders will tackle more than 1,000 metres of climbing. The women’s race starts at 11:25 am, followed by the men’s race at 11:45 am.
Gravel specialists versus mountain bike stars
The big question ahead of the first title being awarded is whether the gravel professionals can wear down the mountain bikers. A battle is shaping up between the gravel riders’ experience and endurance and the mountain bikers’ raw class and explosiveness.
The start list in Bern features a host of renowned riders with World Cup experience. Among them are gravel professionals Brun, Roth and Suter, as well as mountain bikers Colombo, Püntener, Forster and Schätti. With the race expected to last around two hours, spectators can look forward to plenty of action. Will someone break away early, or will it come down to a sprint finish on the home straight at the vonRoll-Areal in Bern?
For mountain biker Filippo Colombo, the race comes at a good time. “I wasn’t able to race much over the summer because of an injury, but I’ve been in very good form towards the end of the season. Now I’m curious to see how I’ll perform on a bike I’m not used to riding. It’s certainly going to be intense, and I hope to be in contention for the jersey,” says the rider from Ticino, looking ahead to his participation.
A top-class field in the women’s race
The women’s race is equally strong. Former winners Kathrin Stirnemann and Seraina Leugger will be joined by Elena Hartmann, Nicole Koller and Irina Lützelschwab, all looking to build on their successes this year and claim victory in Bern for the first time. Newly turned professional road cyclist Ginia Caluori is also among the wider group of favourites.
Age groups: Olympic medallists in the M50 category
Amateur riders will also compete for Swiss Championship titles across the various age groups (m/w 20, m/w 30, etc.). The M50 category promises a particularly exciting contest, as mountain bike legends Thomas Frischknecht and Christoph Sauser target a title still missing from their already impressive palmarès.
Alongside the more than 70 registered Elite riders, around 100 amateur athletes have entered the championship races. This promises a strong field and plenty of action for grassroots cycling as well.
Pascal Richard will also be on the start line. The 1996 Olympic road race champion and winner of the 1994 Tour de Suisse has entered the M60 age group. However, he will not be competing for the championship jersey, but instead aims to soak up the gravel spirit and enjoy a great day on the bike.