Gravel-Maniacs

“Until 2023, I was mainly focused on road cycling. Then a health-related break forced me to almost completely step away from the sport. Last July, everything changed: with my Argon18 Krypton, I not only got back on the bike—but through gravel riding, I discovered a whole new side of cycling. It didn’t just bring back the joy of riding, it sparked a new passion. What started as occasional rides to unwind from daily life has, since the beginning of the year, developed into structured training—with the goal of racing again.

Even though I’ve already raced major UCI road events, the organization impressed me when I entered the UCI Gravel World Series. With live timing, large expo areas, and well-planned feed zones, it feels truly professional. While the distances are comparable to Women’s World Tour and UCI road races, the races are far more demanding, selective, and intense. It’s not just about physical fitness—it’s also about bike-handling skills and the battle with yourself. At the finish, you truly feel the race’s toughness in your body.

At first, I wasn’t sure where I stood in this new discipline. At the first two races of the series at 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—securing my ticket to the World Championships. Now, the focus is entirely on preparation—and who knows, maybe I can even qualify in the Elite category. I’m grateful for the exchange I get with the Maloja Pushbikers, for the support, and for the opportunity to experience this new chapter in cycling with such a strong team.”

“I spent 19 years on the MTB, four years on the road bike, and this year I’m on the gravel bike. Gravel, for me, combines the best of both worlds: the endurance and speed of road cycling—paired with the technique and adventure of MTB. You ride on varying surfaces, from gravel tracks to single trails, sometimes even over roots and rocks. It’s not just about power, but also bike balance, line choice, and tire setup—all skills that give me incredible joy.”

For this discipline, you need a lot of endurance, solid riding skills—which I bring from MTB—and the willingness to adapt to different conditions: from wet forest floors to dusty paths. My gravel bike is almost as fast as a road bike, yet fully capable off-road—a combination that excites and drives me.

I was able to qualify for the World Championships in Limburg, Netherlands, at my very first gravel race in 2025. Besides the Ötztaler Cycling Marathon, the Gravel Worlds is my second big goal. Currently, I’m ranked 26th overall in the Gravel World Series—even though I’ve only raced in five of the 24 qualifier events so far. I’m confident I can move further up in the upcoming races.”