Hand in hand with kid racer Nino Dober from Sursee, who finished third in the parent-child category, winner Andreas Seewald crossed the finish line in Grindelwald. It took the European champion from Germany 4:25:06 hours to complete the challenging 80 off-road kilometers with 4,200 meters of altitude in sweltering heat. Bike Marathon Classics leader Hansueli Stauffer crossed the finish line 2:20 minutes behind in second place ahead of Frenchman Alexandre Balmer.

As in previous years, it was the final ascent to Kleine Scheidegg that decided the race. Seewald broke up the leading group with his increased pace. First last year's winner Martin Fanger had to break away, then the Belgian Frans Claes, who lives in Gunten. Finally, Alexandre Balmer, last year's Swiss bike marathon champion, was also caught out. Only Hansueli Stauffer was able to fight his way back to the front, using the last of his strength. But then Seewald pushed again and pulled away.

So a victory according to plan? "You could say that," replied Seewald. "I had planned to only push on the last climb and ride as energy-efficiently as possible until then. Because next weekend is the German Championships." The first half of the race was ridden rhythmically, but not particularly fast. The descents were quite demanding in terms of riding technique and he missed his full-suspension bike. On the final climb, however, the hardtail (without rear suspension) proved to be the right choice, explained Seewald. Hansueli Stauffer proved to be a tough opponent. "He rode cleverly, didn't let my speed increases throw him off his stride and simply rode his pace," said Seewald. He was happy that he was able to distance him in time, as Stauffer had an advantage in the final downhill thanks to his better knowledge of the course.

"I wanted to win, but Andreas Seewald was the stronger one," said Hansueli Stauffer, who finished second for the third time after 2016 and 2021. "I have nothing to blame myself for, I tried everything. But it just wasn't quite enough. I'm very happy with my performance and I don't begrudge Andi the win."

When asked about her superior surprise victory, Anna Weinbeer commented: "Nobody had me on their radar at the moment." Last year, things didn't go well for her at all. This season has started better. "I was able to train properly and my environment is perfect. That is now the result," Weinbeer summarized. The fact that she won with a lead of half an hour surprised her herself. She simply rode at her own pace. She started mountain biking in 2019. She now trains 15 to 20 hours a week, depending on the week, alongside her office job. A month ago, the 30-year-old made a name for herself by winning the Black Forest Ultra Marathon in Kirchzarten, Germany, with a lead of eleven minutes or more over the assembled marathon elite. However, she was still a hobby cyclist at the time. She has only had a racing license for two weeks, says Weinbeer. Her next race will be the Swiss Epic in Graubünden next week with her partner. Second-placed Alessia Nay crossed the finish line with traces of a crash. "At the end of the Bachalp trail, I slipped on gravel in a bend," explained last year's winner from Zizers. She had assumed that Anna Weinbeer would ride strongly uphill. But a half-hour lead was already a lot, said Nay and added: "I rode together with Margot Moschetti for a while, but then distanced her on the descent in order to complete the final climb with a good lead." Swiss champion Irina Lützelschwab had no luck in the race. After a chain break "in the field", she abandoned the race. Alessia Nay thus takes over the Bike Marathon Classics leader's jersey.

Men (80 km): 1. Andreas Seewald (De) 4:25:06. 2. Hansueli Stauffer (Sigriswil) 2:20. 3. Alexandre Balmer (La Chaux-de-Fonds) 4:27. 4. Frans Claes (Be) 6:34. 5. Fadri Barandun (Samedan) 9:06. 6. Martin Fanger (Kägiswil) 9:49. 7. Urs Huber (Mettmenstetten) 12:34. 8. Fabian Heinzer (Stans) 17:32. 9. Micha Klötzli (Tramelan) 20:33. 10. Pascal Kiser (Giswil) 32:18.

Women (80 km): 1. Anna Weinbeer (Basel) 5:14:47. 2. Alessia Nay (Zizers) 33:51. 3. Margot Moschetti (Fr) 38:58. 4. Isabell Fischer (De) 1:29:19. 5. Carmen Kohler (Rickenbach) 1:33:03. 6. Birgit Bless (Seewis Dorf) 1:38:12.

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