Gravel-Maniacs

Road cycling is exciting because you’re out in nature and can always discover new routes. Gravel is more than just an alternative to road biking, Sarah Kastenhuber and Daniel Federspiel agree. It’s an evolution. Even more nature, a more intense experience, and technically more challenging trails. And gravel riding takes you to places you would never reach on asphalt.

On the road and the track, the Pushbikers are well known. For two seasons, we were also present with our own MTB team. Gravel, however, is “a new place” that we are discovering together with our elite athletes. Their experiences are ours as well, and we are all the more excited that Daniel and Sarah have both qualified for the UCI Gravel World Championship this October in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is their moment, and we are already celebrating it with them.

Sarah

“Until 2023, I was primarily focused on road cycling. Then a health-related break forced me to step away from the sport almost entirely. Everything changed in July of last year: with my Argon 18 Krypton, I not only got back on the bike – I discovered a completely new side of cycling through gravel riding. It didn’t just bring back the joy of riding, it sparked a new passion. What started as occasional rides to disconnect from everyday life has, since the beginning of the year, developed into structured training – with the goal of lining up at races once again.

Even though I’ve already raced major UCI road events, I was impressed by the organization when I entered the UCI Gravel World Series. With live timing, large expo areas, and well-planned feed zones, it all feels truly professional. While the distances are comparable to WorldTour and UCI women’s road races, the gravel races are much more demanding and selective, with a high level of intensity. It’s not just about physical fitness – bike handling skills and mental toughness are just as important. At the finish line, you can really feel the strain of the race in your body.

At first, I was unsure of where I stood in this new discipline. In the first two races of the series at Lake Wörthersee and in Aachen, I cautiously started in the elite category. At Gravel Suisse in Switzerland – with 3,300 meters of elevation over 103 kilometers – I finished 3rd in my age group and secured my ticket to the World Championships. Now, the focus is fully on preparation – and who knows, maybe I’ll even qualify for the elite category. I’m grateful for the exchange and support I receive from the Maloja Pushbikers, and for the opportunity to experience this new chapter in cycling with such a strong team.”

Daniel

“I spent 19 years on the mountain bike, four years on the road bike, and now this year I’ve taken up gravel riding. For me, gravel combines the best of both worlds: the endurance and speed of road cycling – paired with the technique and adventure of mountain biking. You ride on a variety of surfaces, from gravel roads to singletracks, sometimes even over roots and rocks. It’s not just about power, but also about bike balance, line choice, and tire setup – all skills that I truly enjoy.

For this discipline, you need a lot of endurance, solid riding technique – which I bring from my MTB background – and the ability to adapt to changing conditions: from wet forest trails to dusty paths. My gravel bike is almost as fast as a road bike, but built for off-road terrain – a combination that excites and motivates me.

I was able to qualify for the World Championships in Dutch Limburg at my very first gravel race in 2025. Alongside the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon, the Gravel World Championships are my second big goal. I’m currently ranked 26th overall in the Gravel World Series – despite having only competed in five of the 24 qualifier events so far. I’m confident that I can move further up in the upcoming races.”