A look at the Golden Book of the Eiger Bike Challenge reveals the favorites for this year's event, which also counts as the Swiss Marathon Championships. Since 2005, Urs Huber, Lukas Buchli and Christoph Sauser have alternated on the podium. With Esther Süss, Ariane Kleinhans and Milena Landtwing, an exciting title fight can also be expected in the women's race.

After an eight-week summer break, the national marathon race series iXS-swiss-bike-classic will kick off the second half of the season next Sunday in Grindelwald with its highlight: the Swiss Marathon Championships. This attracts numerous well-known riders to the Eiger Bike Challenge in the Bernese Oberland, such as the two world champions Christoph Sauser and Esther Süss, who have both already won on the topographically demanding course - Süss, like last year's winner Kleinhans, even twice. But no one has achieved as many victories as Urs Huber. The 29-year-old from Jonen in the canton of Aargau rode to victory in Grindelwald in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013 and was already Swiss champion in 2011.

The Ischgl Ironbike, with 79 kilometers and 3820 meters of altitude, was as demanding as the Eiger Bike Challenge and served as the final gauge for the title fight at the beginning of August. Huber's victory confirmed his title ambitions, while Esther Süss triumphed in the women's race. Ariane Kleinhans was the second-best Swiss woman in fourth place, while iXS-classic leader Milena Landwing triumphed over the 48 km distance. After his victory at the "M3" marathon in Montafon on the last weekend of July, Lukas Buchli decided not to start in Ischgl in favor of a training camp in the Münstertal. Meanwhile, title holder Christoph Sauser is heading overseas to the United States. The European champion and World Championship bronze medallist took part in the Leadville100 at altitude in Colorado last weekend and finished second behind team-mate Todd Wells. All the title contenders are therefore in top form.

The two locals Hansueli Stauffer and BIKE Transalp winner Cornelia Hug can also count themselves as outsiders. However, luck will also decide who ultimately climbs to the top of the podium. After all, the 88 kilometers and 3900 vertical meters in the face of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are not only a tough test for people, but also for the material, which occasionally leads to defects. "Title fights always follow their own rules," says Lukas Buchli, who wore the Swiss champion's jersey in 2008.

Programme Sunday, August 17

07.00	Start long distance/88 km
07.45	Start field 1 middle distance/55 km
08.15	Start field 2 middle distance/55 km
10.00	Start short distance with team classification/22 km (from the finish area in the village
from 10.30	Entrance winner short distance
from 11.30	Entrance long distance winner

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