Roman’s threshold gains and puncture pain

Marjet, Roman, and Nils all headed to Wörthersee in mid-April, followed by Monaco one week later. For Roman, these were his first real tests since his debut in Girona. “Wörthersee and Monaco were two completely different races. Wörthersee was more like a road race with fast flat sections and a few short climbs. Monaco, on the other hand, was way more physical with long climbs.”

Roman has been focusing on threshold work after Santa Vall, and he felt that power paying off, even if luck wasn’t on his side. “Tactically I did everything right, I stood in a good position in key moments and hid in the bunch when I could. Just as I know it from road racing.” Unfortunately, punctures in both races sidelined him. In Wörthersee it took him out of the leading group in the last few kilometers, while in Monca his race ended almost before it even started. “I was not happy after these races, but I did manage to take the good things out of it and the learnings. I know my shape is good. I’ll take the learnings and the changes I’ll make on my material to Traka. It will be my longest gravel race by far, so everything - the pacing, nutrition, and material - needs to be adjusted. But I am really motivated.”

Nils’ upward trajectory

Nils used this block as the ultimate preparation for Girona. “Monaco featured a lot of climbing and rocky descents, while Wörthersee was mostly flat and tactical. It was about building confidence on different types of terrain ahead of Traka, which has a bit of everything.”

Wörthersee was a lesson in the difficulty of being a privateer against big teams. “I couldn’t cover every move, and the decisive one went without me. The chase lacked cohesion, and I probably did a bit too much work.” However, Monaco provided the redemption he was looking for. “I knew from the start that pacing would be crucial, especially with so much climbing. It was important not to overdo it early on. Romain Bardet set a very hard pace on the first 10-minute climb, and I immediately felt it was too fast for me, so I stuck to my own rhythm.” On longer descent, Nils made his way back to the front group: “I took some risks on the downhill but stayed within my limits. Eventually, I got away with three other riders. We worked well together and made it to the final climb to fight for second place. Finally finished 5th.” It’s a result that is in line with the growth he’s been showing over the past months; he is getting better every race. “I keep learning how to race better on gravel, and I genuinely enjoy the process.” That fun-minded mindset is also what he’ll be chasing during The Traka: “I want to be mentally relaxed, while having fun racing and suffering - and making others suffer too.”

Marjet’s qualification and crash

Marjet also traveled to Wörthersee to transition into a full pro-cyclist lifestyle ahead of her big goal. “Overall, my main goal was to shift my focus to racing, training & recovering before the big goal: The Traka 200. Being away from home means less distractions and getting a taste of the pro-cyclist life.”

She was really excited for Wörthersee, as it was a course she thought would suit her quite well. ‘Monaco would be more like a training for the climbing part of Traka, as the climbing (+2500HM) would be just too much for me.’ After the first two climbs during Wörthersee, Marjet was positioned well in the first group and enjoyed the racing a lot, until a split-second decision changed her race. “During a descent, the rider in front of me opened up a gap. I overtook her, wanting to close that gap, but took too much speed into a loose gravel corner and ended up losing my grip. I chose to crash into the gutter instead of on the gravel and took a big hit.” Despite the impact, she pushed through. “Thinking about the pain became the forbidden word ;) I just really wanted a good result.” Although she didn’t manage to get back to the front, she did catch up with some other rides which resulted in a 8th place, securing her qualification for the European and World Championships. However, the adrenaline eventually wore off, and the impact of the crash forced her to skip Monaco - although she did go there to hand bottles to Nils and Roman - and do some off the bike training. “I just really want to recover before Traka, so i’m doing everything I can to enable that.”

Larissa’s first international mission

While the others stayed in Europe, Larissa extended her heatmap as she headed to the US with her team for the Sea Otter Classic. “A big focus was also learning how to deal with jetlag, testing what works and what doesn’t ahead of Unbound later in May.” Unfortunately, the adaptation proved difficult. “I struggled with fatigue from the jetlag adaptation and travel.”

This exhaustion made for a brutal day in the California dirt as she didn’t manage to push the watts she usually does. “I’m not happy with my own result because I just didn’t have good legs and it was a super hard day where I thought about quitting a lot, but I am happy that I was able to help Nele (her teammate) back to the front group after two laps so I played a small part in getting her to the podium with a third place!”

Looking back at her time in the US, she did notice quite some differences compared to gravel in Europe. “In Europe, racing is usually full gas from start to finish, whereas in the US it’s more of a stop-and-go style. The whole event around it was much bigger though. A huge expo and a lot of people. Most of them weren’t necessarily there just for the race, but there were still plenty of spectators around the start and finish. Out on the course, it was quieter. Overall, it was a really cool experience and a great first trip to race in the US.”

Yael’s breakaway day during her homerace

Closer to home, Yael lined up for the UCI Gravel One Fifty in the north of the Netherlands. It was kind of a full circle moment, as two years ago, this race was the first gravelrace she ever did. “Back then I raced in the Age Group and had no idea what I was doing. Now I was lining up in the elite field, with ambitions, knowing a bit more, haha.”

With a lot of sandy passages, it promised to be a tough race, even though there were no altitude meters. Yael: “After about 40 kilometers, we hit the first sand passage, and I just went full gas there. That happened to be the decisive move because some kilometers later we were gone with five girls.” With everyone working well together, the group with Yael in it quickly got over two minutes. “I was really happy that I once again made it into the break, I also felt really strong, felt that I was better than I’d been before.” But a nutrition miscalculation in the heat caused her to cramp in the final 90 minutes. “I’d taken too many carbs but too little water, so I couldn’t follow the attack in the last 17 kilometers.” She finished 5th, a result that brings both pride and hunger for more. “I’d set myself the goal to attack, which I did, and I felt that the progress I’ve been making in training also transitioned to the race. Of course, I’m sad that something as the wrong fuel plan may have cost me a better classification as I would’ve loved to race for the win, but this being my second elite race, I’m happy and mostly eager for what’s to come.’

The Traka: be there or be square

The day after finishing the Gravel One Fifty, Yael packed her bike and left for Girona. Marjet and Larissa were already there, logging hours along the Spanish coast, and the Swiss duo of Roman and Nils arrived shortly after. In other words: we are now back where the Gravel Tales started. Larissa, Marjet, Roman, and Nils are locked in for the Traka 200 on Saturday, May 2nd, while Yael will take on the Traka 100 the following day.

The week will be filled with focused recons, sponsor meetings, and that specific pre-race buzz that only Girona can provide. Because we all know: The Traka is where it all happens. We’re counting down the days until the first big highlight of the season, and we’re taking you all with us!

The flatlands of Turnhout

The course in Belgium featured 144 Kilometers of gravel with an elevation profile that was flat as a pancake. Most of the route consisted of smooth, fast gravel, making it clear from the start that this would be a high-speed tactical battle. Marjet and Yael stayed at a campsite close to the start, together with David from MESA. Yael: “Although it was a bit small, the vibes were good. It made me feel a bit like a little kid again, camping with my parents.”

Marjet was looking forward to the race: “I had done a nice, consistent training block since coming back from Girona, which made me feel more ready to race”. On Saturday, she and Yael did a recon ride with their trainer, Rick Ottema, who happened to be staying at the same campsite. Yael: “I really liked doing the recon with the three of us. We could discuss possible important points”.

For Marjet, the course was familiar territory: “I knew what to expect — flat and fast. It’s more like a road race with peloton riding and a lot of tarmac, so as a roadie, I felt quite at home here. I knew the decisive move would be made on the only technical part or the singletrack”. Yael had her own plan: “I knew that a flat course would suit me, so I was really looking forward to the race. That also brought some nerves, though, as I had no idea how I would compare to the rest of the elite field. So I’d set myself two goals: stay in front, especially during the corners, and make sure to nail my nutrition”.

On Sunday morning, the elite women set off. Just as Marjet had predicted, the race ignited right before the singletrack. Yael: “I managed to stay with the first ten for the whole first 30 Kilometers, and then when the first attack happened, I was right where I needed to be. We just kept riding as fast as we could, and when we looked back, we were ahead with a group of 12. After the singletrack, there were seven left, and that turned out to be the decisive split because we all worked well together”.

Marjet had been riding strongly at the front for the first part of the race but found herself caught behind a split at a critical moment: “After a rider in front of me hit a fence on the singletrack, everybody had to clip out behind her. That’s when the first group got away. I had quite a hard time mentally after that, since I could tell we weren’t going to catch them”. Despite the frustration, she kept fighting and eventually finished 16th.

For Yael, the race was a dream scenario until kilometer 133. “Three riders had gotten away, so we were left with four others racing for fourth place — a result I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams,” she says. “But then, when one of them made a move, I had to react, which sent me into the verge. That wouldn’t have been a problem, except there was a pile of wood lying there, which I hit with my front wheel and then my nose. It was a nasty crash, and there was a lot of blood”. Fueled by adrenaline, she got back on her bike: “After I’d made sure that my nose was straight and that all my teeth were still there, I didn’t think — I just went. But my body wouldn’t really push anymore”. She rolled in 14th with a broken nose and afterwards had to go to the hospital for eight stitches.

Though the result wasn’t what they had hoped for, both saw progress. Marjet noted: “That’s something that gives me confidence that I’m on the right track training-wise”. Yael, once the frustration faded, agreed: “I executed my plans, and I felt really strong. I showed myself. I can’t blame myself for the crash, so I just take this race as motivation for the rest of the season”.

The verticals of The Hills

Six days later, the scene shifted to Italy for Nils and Larissa, for the Gravel Earth Series race The Hills, featuring 120km with 2,300 meters of elevation spread across 17 hills. For Larissa, this was the first real test after a long block of base building following the cyclocross season. Nils was energized by the environment: “The scenery through the vineyards was stunning, and the event was well-organised. Plus, I just love being in Italy — the atmosphere is always great”.

Both spent days scouting the climbs. Larissa: “I really liked the area, and the more technical descents suited me well. The climbs were extremely steep, with gradients over 20%, so apart from those sections, the course fit my strengths”. Nils agreed: “The diversity was great, though it was challenging because you constantly had to adapt to different types of terrain. This kind of course suits me well, especially when it’s technical with punchy, hard climbs”.

Recent rain left the track mostly dry but dotted with some muddy sections, leading both to choose medium-grip tires. Larissa started aggressively: “The first selection happened already on the opening climb. In the second start loop, the bunch split again, and a front group of five of us went into the big loop”. Nils had a similar tactical focus: “I knew positioning would be vital since there was singletrack everywhere. My goal was to be active from the start to avoid the stress of fighting for position in the pack. I was even able to follow Romain Bardet on the first climbs! We got away and were eventually caught, but I managed to stay in a great position from then on. I had a blast on the singletrack. A group of about 15 of us went clear, but some groups bridged back later”.

Halfway through, Larissa hit a rough patch but recovered as her teammate moved back to the front. With 30 Kilometers to go, she saw her opening: “There were several running sections where the others had trouble clipping back in. When I saw Hartmann — in my eyes the strongest opponent — struggling, I decided to attack, even though it meant dropping my teammate, which was a tough decision”. She opened a gap on a descent and turned the final 20 Kilometers into a solo effort, winning by two minutes. It was her first Gravel Earth Series victory and a historic first for her team. “I was incredibly happy!”

Nils had a small issue halfway through his race when his axle began to loosen. “Luckily, I noticed it during a climb. I’m quite proud that I managed to open my integrated downtube storage and get my tools out while still riding! A quick turn with a 5mm Allen key and I was back in the mix”. Fun fact: he had nearly forgotten the tool entirely, only noticing 20 minutes before the start. Though he hit a bit of a wall in the final 30 kilometres and had to settle for 11th, he remained positive: “It showed me that I have the level to compete with the best. If I can learn to save more energy early on and maintain power through the end of a 4+ hour race, I’m confident even better results are possible”.

What’s Next?

The calendar remains busy. Both Larissa and Marjet will swap their gravel bikes for a road bike as they will be racing for TeamNL during the Volta NXT Classic. Following that, Larissa will head to the U.S. for Sea Otter - marking her first ever race outside of Europe. Meanwhile, Marjet, Nils, and Roman are gearing up for the UCI events in Wörthersee and Monaco. Yael will also test her legs in several road races before lining up for the Gravel One Fifty. All these paths eventually lead back to Girona for the first major highlight of the season: The Traka, where the whole group will finally reunite.

Photo credit @matteo.grava & @matspalinckx

Breaking the ice in Catalonia

Everyone got to Girona on their own, and it was only in the apartment that all of us met for the very first time. Although Yael and Marjet are both Dutch and had said hi every now and then during races, they didn’t know each other before they drove together from the Netherlands to Girona. What better way to get to know each other than spending fourteen hours together in a car?

“Luckily, Marjet and I immediately clicked, which I was really happy about, so I knew that I had at least one person besides Larissa that I got along with well,” says Yael.

Marjet had no doubts that it would be fine, even though no one knew each other: “Knowing that everyone was enthusiastic about bike riding, I was not worried that we would not get along.”

Yael adds: “When I got there, at first I was really intimidated by how the rest had all their stuff sorted, how professional it was. What surprised me most was how open everyone was and how fast we started doing things together.”

Roman, David (founder of MESA), and Nils had their Swiss background as a connecting factor, and Roman and Nils knew each other from their time at Tudor.

“It was a bit uncertain because, apart from David, I didn’t know anyone I was sharing the apartment with,” says Nils, as Roman was staying in another place. “However, I was really looking forward to it and felt confident we’d get along, as I’d describe myself as a fairly easy-going person.”

Nils happened to be right, because even though it took a while for everyone to loosen up, the vibes were good.

Nils: “I feared that the Dutchies would only speak Dutch, but that wasn’t true at all. At one point, they even requested to spend an entire evening speaking only German!”

Roman was staying in another apartment but continued adding his stamp during all the evenings he joined dinner with the rest.

“I’d asked some of my friends that I knew from mountain biking if anyone wanted to join me and share an apartment in Girona, and in the end, it happened to be really close to the apartment of the others.”

Although the people were new for Roman, Girona wasn’t: “I knew Girona from three years ago. Since then, it has changed a lot. More cyclists from all over the world have moved there, and more coffee shops have opened. It’s ridiculous how many riders are living there.”

Larissa got to Girona a bit over a day later than the rest, as she flew there. She would join her new team on Monday, so she only spent a few days in the apartment with the rest.

“The atmosphere was good, and I quickly felt comfortable in the group,” which was a good thing, as she already had enough nerves to deal with while preparing to meet the 25 people making up her new professional team.

First time pinning on race numbers again at La Bescanonina

The Sunday of the first weekend was marked by the season-opening race, La Bescanonina. For Marjet and Nils, it was just an opener, but for Roman and Yael, it was a first-time experience. For Yael, it was her first time racing in the elite field; for Roman, it was literally his first gravel race ever.

“It was crazy!” says Roman. “I did not have a goal in terms of results. It was more to see the sport and what I must work on. After the start, I expected it to slow down, but it did not. I just followed, hoping to be able to maintain the speed, but I blew up after 80 km.”

A good way to learn the lesson that sometimes it’s better to ride your own pace instead of only following the group.

Nils approached La Bescanonina mostly as a test: “It was about seeing where my current fitness level was and testing everything under race conditions.” Coming away with a fourth place made him very happy.

Marjet had been dealing with a back injury during the winter, which made her go into the race more with a training mindset, which in the end led her to a second place, just ahead of her fellow Dutchie.

Yael: “I’d been lining up with the biggest imposter syndrome there was, as I had no idea if I would be ready for a race in the elite field. The fact that I came away third really was a big relief and motivation!”

The grit of Santa Vall

While La Bescanonina had served as a test race, Nils was aiming for a result during Santa Vall.

“Mostly because I knew it was important for my confidence. Although I didn’t put too much pressure on myself; I just wanted to have fun.”

For him, that mindset worked out well, as he got a top 10 finish in the second stage.

“Physically, my level was better compared to last year, so my confidence for the rest of the season started to rise!”

This was even though Nils crashed the day before Santa Vall, which made his hip and groin hurt a lot.

“I was almost unable to walk, so I was very skeptical about whether I could even start the next day. It turns out I was pain-free while pedaling! Sometimes it’s better to overthink less before you know the situation.”

Wise words, Nils…

Where Marjet and Yael finished close to each other in the first race, the same happened during Santa Vall. In stage one, they finished together with a duo attack in the last 20 km.

Marjet: “I had a lot of fun racing, even though my shape wasn’t there yet. In stage two, Yael and I even quickly posed in the bunch for a picture… That relaxed mentality is something I really hope to bring to the upcoming races, even when the pressure gets higher.”

Both Yael and Marjet lost their classification on day one because they took a wrong turn with the group.

Yael: “That was a pity, but in the end, we still made the best out of it, although I was a bit disappointed to lose a race because of a stupid turn.”

Day two for her was a lot better, especially the downhill part.

“I just felt really stable and confident, which made the tactics also a lot of fun.”

Larissa almost didn’t make it to the start line of Santa Vall, as she had only just gotten back to riding her bike after the cyclo-cross season and really questioned whether Santa Vall wouldn’t be too early.

“Therefore, I mainly approached it as a hard training block and a chance to enjoy the first race with the team.”

But in the end, she did an amazing job, fighting for fourth place on day one and achieving a ninth place in the overall classification after two days.

“On day one, after more than three hours, I ran out of energy, but that didn’t bother me. Instead, it gave me a lot of confidence and motivation for what’s ahead.”

The privateer hustle versus team logistics

Not only was the time in Girona structured around racing and training, but sponsor duties were also important. Especially Nils and Marjet had a lot of meetings as newbie privateers.

Nils: “It is such a privilege to work with such great partners, so even though it may not be ideal to do it between trainings, the positives outweighed the negatives, getting to know the people behind the brands, gaining new insights.”

For Marjet, it was all new.

“But I really enjoyed getting to know the people behind the brands and learning more about the technical side of the products. A standout moment was sitting down with the nutrition experts together with Nils; it’s great to understand the science behind what you’re consuming as an athlete.”

For Larissa, these duties were incorporated into the team planning:

“We had each morning to train, followed by a sponsor meeting and the evenings to relax, which really helped keep things in balance. It was busy, but those things are super important for us.”

Roman, being well-organized, planned his training so he could meet his sponsors and still enjoy his free time.

And Yael?

“I just found it interesting to see how the privateer life works, as I’m still somewhere in between.”

Looking back and our takeaways

“Very grateful and the start of a new adventure,” is how Larissa describes her time in Girona.

Yael adds that it was incredibly helpful for getting to know the world of gravel better: “I now know where I stand and what to work on. Seeing that Larissa could race with the best was inspiring; it shows that it’s not unreachable.”

For Marjet, the two weeks in Girona helped her get back her fitness, but also led to the realization of how much a change of scenery can help when dealing with an injury:

“At home, I found it hard to make progress because I wasn’t resting enough and got caught up in the daily grind. Breaking that routine and soaking up the Spanish sun really helped me take those necessary steps in my recovery.”

Not only did Marjet improve her injury in Girona, but she also picked up some ‘vital’ life lessons that she is happy to share:

First, Kellogg’s Smacks (no spon) are a nice in-between-meal snack.
Second, cleaning your bike at a local car wash is not only fun but the most efficient way to get it sparkling again.
Third, a game of UNO No Mercy is the quickest way to reveal the true competitive nature of your teammates.
And last but not least: Yael gets mad if you take a coffee break before mid-ride.

Roman’s main takeaway?

“The necessity to do more specific kinds of training. I now do longer efforts to work on my ability to hold a hard pace. But already in Girona, I had a fun time, and racing off-road is such a blast!”

One red line during the two weeks was definitely the amount of coffee consumed, with Roman as the winner.

“I caught up with a lot of old friends. It was nice, but it’s also demanding for my social battery. I think it was nice for two weeks, but I am happy to have my private life at home as well.”

In the end, Nils puts it how it is:

“It was a fun two weeks that went by way too fast.”

In early February, the five of us - Roman, Nils, Larissa, Marjet, and Yael - met in Girona for two weeks of training and racing. What started as a few slightly awkward first days, since none of us truly knew each other, quickly turned into something else. By the end of those two weeks, we weren’t just five individual riders; we were a group that trained, laughed, and suffered together.

That’s how the idea for Tales of Gravel was born.

We share the same passion, but we each see the sport through a different lens. Marjet has been navigating the gravel circuit for a few years now, while Roman is stepping into the world of gravel racing for the very first time. Larissa is starting her first season as a full-time gravel pro, and both Nils and Yael are carving out their own unique paths in the dirt. Five riders, different brands or teams, but still on the same page.

Through this Substack, we want to share our season as it happens. Not just the results, but the stories from our own perspectives. Whether we are racing together or miles apart, these are our tales. Get to know the five of us. Who are we, why do we race gravel, and what brought us to the point where we are now?

Larissa Hartog (24), Dutch, racing for Canyon x DT Swiss ATR Racing Team

It was at the age of 7 that I discovered the bike. Since then, I’ve been into the off-road adventure. I started with mountain biking, and for the last three seasons I have mainly focused on cyclocross. Gravel racing was not really part of the plan, but that changed when I wasn’t selected for some road races. I entered the UCI Gravel Race in Aachen and loved just going all out for the whole race. From one race to the next I enjoyed it more and more, and my results improved as well. That’s when Canyon came onto my path. This season, I have the chance to race as a pro within the Canyon x DT Swiss ATR Racing Team. Instead of working part-time, I can now focus on riding my bike as fast as possible.

I love gravel because I enjoy being off-road in nature. Unlike road races, where you can wait in the bunch for a sprint, gravel races are just ‘hardstyle’ where everyone ends up where they belong. The vibe is also more relaxed compared to cyclocross; you have three or four hours of hard racing, so you can show up a bit more relaxed at the start.

The 2026 season is going to be a completely new adventure for me. I will completely focus on gravel during the summer season, shifting away from the winter season. I’ll race for the first time on another continent and take on distances that go far beyond cyclocross races, like Unbound with 200 miles! For the first part of the season, it would be amazing to perform well at races like Unbound and The Traka!

Yael Prenger (23), Dutch, racing with the support from Cube Store Friesland & Airoman.cc

If you would’ve told me two years ago that I would be chasing dreams in gravel, I would’ve laughed it off. At that time, I was fully focused on speedskating with a clear vision to reach the top. I eventually bought a gravel bike to get some training hours off-road, and when a UCI race happened to be nearby, I signed up. That was the start of what - in hindsight - became my transition from ice-skating to gravel. With the support of a local store in Friesland, I started racing more in my Age Group, hitting some podiums and even taking a win. Due to injuries, I was forced to take time off the ice, and that’s when I felt it: I want to go all-in on the bike.

And that’s what I’m doing now. This will be my first year where the bike is central, not just a way to improve on the ice. I’m not officially a privateer, but I have the support of a local bike store from the northern part of the Netherlands that has supported my adventure from day one.

At its core, gravel for me is a fun way to train, but it’s also a personal growth meter since every race is different and there are so many aspects to improve on. Even though I don’t have a racing background, I quickly figured out that I handle my bike quite well, which has made me a big fan of technical downhills. I’ll be combining the gravel calendar with my first races on the road, so I’m curious to see how that goes.

Because it’s my first year, I find it hard to set specific goals. I’m out here to have fun, but with a background in high-level sport, I want to do well, too. What that realistically means is something I will figure out quickly. Because I’m not the strongest climber, my main goals will be flatter races, like the Gravel One Fifty. This year is for gaining experience, both in the races and the gravel world as a network, so I can build further and unlock new possibilities for the seasons after.

Marjet Groen (29), Dutch, racing as a privateer for 3T

My story on the bike only began later, as from a young age, I competed in track & field, where I focused on the middle distances. After dealing with several injuries and taking a year off to teach skiing in the Austrian Alps, I decided to buy a bike to start building fitness without having too much impact from running. That decision escalated quickly. The reason I ended up on the gravel bike was because I noticed that most girls in the roadpeloton had far more experience with bike handling than I did. My solution? Buy a gravel bike and start playing around off-road. Not long after, I signed up for my first gravel race, and that’s when I caught the gravel virus.

Now, years later, having just turned 29, I’m starting my first season as a privateer. For me, this means the freedom to shape my own program and choose the races that excite me, while my sponsors provide the materials I need. However, I’m not completely on my own. Through MESA Cycling, I’m part of a small group of riders who support and inspire each other—the same group behind this Substack. It’s the perfect balance between independence and a team environment.

For me personally, the most important thing is having fun. That means challenging myself and discovering where my boundaries lie; yes, the classic type-two fun. Of course I’m also focused on results, but I believe the best way to achieve those is by doing what you love and enjoying the process. And with gravel, it’s easy to love what I do, because it feels like playing outside for adults. I love that as an elite rider without a pro contract, I can still line up against the best in the world at events like the World Championships. That mix of adventure, openness, and high-level competition is what makes this sport special.

Roman Holzer (22), Swiss, racing for BMC Factory Racing Team

When I was even younger, I used to do mountain bike cross-country racing. Later, at the age of 20, I got a chance at Tudor Pro Cycling and so I tried road cycling for two years. Unfortunately, I did not get my contract renewed and after a tough year on the road with some crashes and a knee injury, I decided to do something else to find my joy in cycling again. That’s how, this year, I ended up on the road bike with fat tires :)

I am really happy with where I am now. Through contacts at Tudor, I signed with the BMC Factory Mountainbike Team as they expanded into gravel. Even though it is a team setup, it feels more like being a privateer; I receive the equipment and a budget to choose my own program, but I organize the logistics myself. Although I did not actively choose this plan, it’s a good match: BMC wanted a rider, and I wanted to do gravel, so we found each other.

My goal this year is to build my engine for the big races. Gravel racing is so different from road racing. Also, I want to get results, but it’s difficult to set a clear goal as it’s my first year in the sport. I want to shine and reach a podium at the Nordic Gravel series, but mostly I expect to learn a lot this year and gain some experience. Yes, road cycling is the top of the sport, but it takes a lot to be with the best ones, and I quickly realized I don’t want to spend my whole career as a support rider. Gravel gives more back. Also, it’s less dangerous, and I simply enjoy this kind of racing more!

Nils Brun (25), Swiss, racing as a privateer for 3T

My journey started in mountain biking before transitioning to the road, where I spent several seasons with the Tudor Pro Cycling Team. After competing in races like Strade Bianche, Il Lombardia, and the Tour de Romandie, I pinned on my first gravel numbers last year. I quickly realized how gravel combines the technical finesse of MTB with the tactical depth of road racing. What makes it even better is the freedom; the atmosphere is unique, it’s full gas from the start, yet the spirit remains rooted in camaraderie.

That’s why I stuck with it. For the 2026 season, I am racing as a privateer through my own Highway to Gravel project. After years in structured team environments, I chose this path to have the freedom to shape my own world. Working directly with partners and even designing my own jersey makes it special. I decide which races I do and how I prepare, no one else.

For this season, my goal is to keep improving as a rider while having fun along the way. After scoring two top 5 finishes in World Series races last year, one very clear goal for 2026 is to step onto that podium for the first time.

The road ahead

It’s clear that we each bring a completely different story to the start line, supported by a diverse range of partners and setups, from factory-backed pros to ambitious privateers. But, as Nils pointed out, it is the unique camaraderie of the gravel scene that got us together in the end.

Those two weeks in Girona in early February were only the beginning. We’re taking you along for the entire ride, navigating the rollercoaster of a full season. We’re starting right where the dust first settled: our collective experience at Santa Vall. Stay tuned for the next Tales of Gravel.

Photo credits:
@fellusch @_matteo.grava_ @visualsofharry