Vier Gravelfahrer sprinten dicht nebeneinander dem Ziel entgegen, rechts ein Fahrer im grünen BIXS-Trikot, Publikum hinter den Absperrgittern

Luca Schätti narrowly misses the podium at the Swiss Gravel Championships in Bern.

BIXS Race Team concludes its 2026 racing season with Luca Schätti finishing fifth at the inaugural Swiss Gravel Championships, held as part of the Gravel Festival Bern. A fast and explosive course pushed the riders to their limits. Several team athletes were part of the leading group before the relentless pace gradually split the field.

Patrick Kiener

19 October 2026

Breites Fahrerfeld rollt unter dem Startbogen durch, vorne drei Fahrer im BIXS-Trikot

Hektischer Rennauftakt mit hohem Tempo

Bereits unmittelbar nach dem Start auf dem vonRoll-Areal in Bern entwickelte sich ein hektisches Rennen. Die neue Streckenführung führte mit hohem Tempo in den Wald, wo zahlreiche Verengungen auf den ersten 15 Kilometern für Positionskämpfe sorgten.

The race got straight off to a hectic start. The new course layout from vonRoll-area in Bern led into the forest at high speed, with several narrow sections causing intense battles for position over the opening 15 kilometres.

A leading group of around 20 riders formed early on, including four BIXS Race Team athletes: Luca Schätti, Joel Roth, Timon Rüegg and Tim Wollenberg. However, the relentless pace quickly began to split the group. Timon was the first to lose contact, followed later by Joel.

Luca battles for the medals until the finish

Luca, meanwhile, remained with the leaders well into the decisive stages of the race, fighting for a place on the podium. After just over 60 kilometres of gravel racing, he was beaten in the final sprint by several riders, including the fast-finishing Lars Forster, narrowly missing out on a medal at the Swiss Championships.

After losing contact with the leaders, Joel found his rhythm again and secured 10th place in his group's finishing sprint. Timon crossed the line in 20th, just behind his Team Manager Lukas Flückiger (19th), while Tim (32nd) and Corey (33rd) finished further back.

Dichtes Fahrerfeld rollt unter dem Startbogen los, vorne drei Fahrer im grünen BIXS-Trikot

Vier Fahrer kämpfen sich nebeneinander einen Kiesanstieg hinauf, rechts der Fahrer im BIXS-Trikot mit Startnummer 5

Rückenansicht eines Fahrers im grünen BIXS-Teamtrikot mit Schriftzug «BIXS Sursee Switzerland» und weissem Helm

Zwei Fahrer mit weissen Helmen unterhalten sich lachend im dicht besetzten Startbereich

Mehrere BIXS Gravelbikes in Mint und Weiss stehen dicht nebeneinander, Oberrohre mit grossem BIXS-Schriftzug

Demanding course with a mountain bike character

The course in Bern resembled a mountain bike cross-country circuit more than a traditional gravel course. With its short, intense climbs, it demanded explosive power, technical skills and the ability to accelerate repeatedly.

While cross-country specialists are used to these high-intensity efforts, traditional gravel riders tend to excel in longer races with a more consistent pace. This was also reflected in the performance of BIXS Race Team: Luca was able to stay with the leaders, while Joel and Tim lost contact with the front group as the race progressed.

Sechs Fahrer in einer Gruppe auf einem schmalen Kiesweg am Waldrand, mittig ein BIXS-Fahrer

BIXS-Fahrer im Windschatten eines Konkurrenten auf einer Landstrasse, am Rand Zuschauende und ein jubelndes Kind

Nahaufnahme von Kurbel, Kette und Laufrädern eines verdreckten Gravelbikes, aus Bodenhöhe fotografiert

Zwei Fahrer im BIXS-Teamtrikot mit schlammbespritzten Helmen unterhalten sich nach dem Rennen

BIXS-Fahrer mit Startnummer 5 rollt mit dreckverspritztem Trikot allein über die Zielgerade entlang der Sponsorenbanden

Season break well deserved

The Swiss Gravel Championships mark the end of the newly formed BIXS Race Team's first season. Victories and podium finishes on the national stage, along with strong individual World Cup results, were highlights of a year that also brought health setbacks and challenging race situations.

Portraitbild des BIXS Race Team Team Managers Lukas Flückiger.

«This year, we have shown that we are on the right track.»

Lukas Flückiger - Team Manager, BIXS Race Team

Team Manager Lukas Flückiger reflects positively on the season overall: “This year, we have shown that we are on the right track. At the same time, we know where we need to improve as we work towards our goal of Los Angeles 2028. To continue making progress on this path, we are committed to continuity and developing together as a team.”

The team now heads into a well-deserved break before preparations for the 2027 season begin. The new World Cup calendar is expected to be published soon by the UCI.

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