"It's tough, my back has noticed it. I could use some suspension": Nino Schurter finishes fifth in his first gravel race

Nino Schurter has his first competitive reference in gravel. The Swiss finished fifth in The Hills Gravel Race in Italy, on a day when the American Bradyn Lange won solo in the men's race and the Dutch Larissa Hartog dominated in the women's category, both securing a double victory for the Canyon team.

Schurter debuts in gravel with a solid fifth place at The Hills

The second event of the Gravel Earth Series took place on a fast and demanding course among the Prosecco hills, with compact terrain and without the complications of mud from previous editions. From the start, a large group formed with the main favorites, where Schurter always stayed well positioned despite his lack of experience in the discipline.

The race progressively tightened until the decisive move came from a small group of top-level riders. The American Bradyn Lange launched an attack that would prove to be definitive, opening a small gap that he managed until the finish. Behind, the chasing group, with Schurter among the most active names, tried to reorganize without success.

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In the final hills, the race broke apart. The chasing group fragmented, and the gaps began to widen. Schurter managed to stay in the fight at all times and crossed the finish line in fifth place, 1 minute and 48 seconds behind the winner, completing a very solid debut in a completely new discipline for him. 

Ultimately, the victory went to Bradyn Lange after a long solo offensive. The Czech Petr Vakoc arrived 11 seconds later, and the podium was completed by the French Célestin Guillon.

 

 

 

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Beyond the result, Nino Schurter's performance makes it clear that his adaptation can be quick. He rode for much of the race in the group that defined the race and responded at key moments, all with a pressure-free approach and without the specific preparation of specialists.

After the race, in statements to wikisport.it, Schurter himself acknowledged the toughness of the effort and the physical impact of the course: 

“Yes, it’s tough. Ugh, my back… I could use some suspension... The course was very beautiful, with many trails. I enjoyed it a lot. Although yes, it’s tough… my back felt it.”

"I don’t miss cross country; that’s in the past. Now I want to do different things, like gravel races and other mountain bike races that I’ve never done. I’m looking forward to it, but I no longer approach it like in previous years."

"No, I’m not here to dominate this discipline. I don’t even have a training plan anymore. I train according to what I feel like each day. I still enjoy riding a lot, but I’m not here to try to win every race. I just want to enjoy it and do my best, but with a different approach.”

Top 10 Elite Men The Hills 2026

1. Bradyn Lange - Canyon DT Swiss ATR - 4:21:10
2. Petr Vakoc - SK Velo Praha - +11 seconds
3. Célestin Guillon - Gravel Nation - +33 seconds
4. Diego Rosa - FOL Racing Team - +55 seconds
5. Nino Schurter - Scott-SRAM MTB Racing - +1:48
6. Dario Cherchi - Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing - +1:59
7. Hugo Drechou - Gravel Nation - +2:49
8. Magnus Bak Klaris - Magnus Bak Klaris - +3:05
9. Fabian Rabensteiner - Torpado Kenda FSA - +3:10
10. Floris De Tier - Swatt Club - +5:19

In the women's category, the race was decided in the final part after a progressive selection in the last hills. The Dutch Larissa Hartog managed to break away solo in the decisive stretch to win with authority, also completing the double victory for the Canyon team after the men's win. The Italian Erica Magnaldi finished in second place, while the Swiss Elena Hartmann completed the podium.

Top 5 Elite Women The Hills 2026

1. Larissa Hartog - Canyon DT Swiss ATR - 5:01:44
2. Erica Magnaldi - UAE Team ADQ - +1:41
3. Elena Hartmann - SUI - +1:48
4. Axelle Dubau-Prévôt - Education First Oatly - +2:28
5. Nele Laing - Canyon DT Swiss ATR - +3:23

This first result immediately places Schurter among the names to watch in gravel. Without pressure and still in the adaptation phase, his fifth place in Susegana makes it clear that his growth margin in this discipline can be considerable.