Race Report: Wet, Slippery and Technical at Round 4 Swiss Enduro Series

The Bike Kingdom showed its wet side at the fourth SES round. Veronika Brüchle, the favourite in the women's race, triumphed once again. Sidonie Jolidon extended her lead in the series ranking thanks to a second place. The podium was rounded off by Caro Gehrig. Series leader Tim Bratschi reigned supreme and stood on the top step of the podium for the first time in the Swiss Enduro Series. In the young history of the SES, no participant in the Elite Men has ever been on top of the podium twice.

The weather conditions tested the field of riders on both days. Due to heavy rain on training day, the dusty trails became slippery slopes. With some high alpine stages in the Bike Kingdom, low temperatures introduced an additional challenge. On race day however, the sun's rays hit the Kingdom and promised a somewhat more pleasant experience as the riders lined up at the start of Stage 1 on Alp Stätz.
On the first stage, Sidonie Jolidon took a big lead of 11 seconds over German Veronika Brüchle. The winner of the last Hottrail Downhill round, Nora Schaub, finished the stage in third place. Tim Bratschi took the victory on the first stage with a five second lead over Gustav Wildhaber. He returned to racing three weeks after quadruple rib fractures and already showed his ability to perform. Mirco Widmer took third place after the first stage.

Gusti Wildhaber won the second stage with a five second lead over Tim Bratschi, so these two were within one second of each other after two stages. Sidonie Jolidon won the second stage, ahead of Veronika Brüchle and Caro Gehrig. Nora Schaub, who had been in third place until then, had to abandon the race after a defective pedal on Stage 2 followed by an irreparable punctured tyre on Stage 3.
After the second stage, the gladiators left the valley floor and head up to the Rothorn. The third stage started at over 2800 metres above sea level. Gusti Wildhaber, in his element, caught up with a fellow competitor, who had started thirty seconds earlier, before a flat front tyre ruined his chances of a top 3 result. Tim Bratschi also shone on the third stage and won it ahead of Luca Jenni and Stefan Peter. In the women's category, Anita Gehrig celebrated her first stage win in 2022 ahead of Austrian Hanna Steinthaler and her twin sister Caro Gehrig.

Stage 4 was long and technical, unravelling over the rocky and physical Great White Trail into the Downhill World Cup course in the bike park. Terrain that suited the athletes from the downhill discipline. Elia Saurer finished the stage in third place, Tim Bratschi in second and Gusti Wildhaber won the fourth stage.

Before the final fifth stage, which was a repeat of the DH World Cup part of the fourth stage, Tim Bratschi led by a comfortable margin of 30 seconds over Mirco Widmer and 50 seconds over his teammate Stefan Peter, who was just a second ahead of Elia Saurer. Caro Gehrig, who competed in the 2018 World Downhill Championship on that part of the stage, won the fourth stage ahead of Veronika Brüchle and Anita Gehrig. Before the last stage, Veronika Brüchle was leading, ahead of Caro Gehrig and Sidonie Jolidon. The difference between Jolidon and Gehrig was only one second. Veronika Brüchle's lead was already 32 seconds.

Only the Elite raced the fifth stage and many people gathered along the course for the final spectacle. The atmosphere in the finish area and at the key points seemed to inspire Jolidon. She won the last stage with a three-second lead over Anita Gehrig to secure second place. Veronika Brüchle managed her lead with great prowess and won her second Swiss Enduro Series race. In the men's race, the athletes coming from the downhill sport were able to play to their strengths. Lutz Weber won the stage by a razor-thin margin ahead of Gusti Wildhaber and Elia Saurer. Saurer moved up to third place and was able to celebrate his first podium in the Swiss Enduro Series. Thanks to a strong eighth place on the last stage, Tim Bratschi secured the victory, while Mirco Widmer took second place with seventh place on the last stage.

In the Series Overall, Tim Bratschi is now just 20 points ahead of Mirco Widmer. Jonas Bernet and Stefan Peter are hot on their wheels, 105 and 110 points behind leader Bratschi. In the women's race, the Series lead can hardly be taken from Sidonie Jolidon. She is in first place with a lead of 260 points followed closely by Caro and Anita Gehrig who are 310 points behind.

The next and final race of the Swiss Enduro Series will take place next weekend in Airolo.

Wet and moody to start the day.

This guy can confirm.

Roll out kicked off at 08:00. "Bugger, pretty sure I gave him the wrong transponder..."

Gustav Wildhaber was back on the scene three weeks after fracturing multiple ribs. Boss move.

Off to Stage 1, Alp Stätz.

Through some classic swiss alpine villages.

On Stage 1 Sidonie Jolidon took a big lead of 11 seconds over German Veronika Brüchle, favourite going into the race.

Mirco Widmer took third place on Stage 1 just behind Series Leader Tim Bratschi and comeback gladiator Gustav Wildhaber.

Showing off the muddy and wet conditions on Stage 1.

U15 rider Vic Cummings boosting with Dad trying hard to keep up.

Short pedal to Stage 2, Veronika Brüchle was looking to chase down that 11 second lead to Sidonie Jolidon.

Not mad about the views from Stage 2, Parpan One Way.

Carolin Gehrig took third place on Stage 2 as she was on the hunt for Jolidon and Brüchle.

The highlight of this stage was a steep loamy section that had the riders performing all sorts of manoeuvres.

Even Superman tried to make an appearance.

Gusti Wildhaber won the second stage with a five second lead over Tim Bratschi, so these two were within one second of each other after two stages. Mirco Widmer sat in third. Sidonie Jolidon won the second stage, ahead of Veronika Brüchle and Caro Gehrig extending her lead to almost 15 seconds.

Our friends at Trailworks & Santa Cruz were on hand to help with any mechanical needs during the race. These guys are indispensable.

Next up Stage 3, Dark Side of the Moon. A high alpine stage that showcases some of Bike Kingdoms most dramatic terrain.

Nora Schaub, who was third after Stage 1, suffered a variety of mechanicals, noticeable an irreparable punctured tyre on Stage 3 that forced her to retire.

After a slow start, Stefan Peter put in a shift and took third on Stage 3 to climb up to fourth in the overall, creeping ever closer to another podium.

Stefan was not the only one to put in a shift. Stage 3 was physically demanding, twisting and turning across the Rothorn peak.

Hopping over the rocky landscape was a must to avoid the awaiting snake bites.

Stage 4 was marked by its length (over 6km) and passage through Bike Kingdoms world renowned DH track.

Carolin Gehrig put in a stunning performance to take the win on Stage 4 moving up in to second place in the overall.

Even though Gustav Wildhaber was out of contention due to a major puncture on Stage 3 he came back swinging and charged down Stage 4 to take the stage win.

Staying on the bike was not always easy on the steep and slippery trail.

But my word did it offer an awesome view, not that the riders had time to enjoy it mind you.

After Stage 4 the Elite had a break as the rest of the field completed the course. The pros would then head up for a final stage, a repeat of the DH track, to showcase their skills and riding in front of the crowd.

We were even treated to some exotic cheering machinery.

A bit of pre sendage warm up never hurt anyone.

And send they did. Sidonie Jolidon let fly as she took the win on the final stage of the day.

It wasn't enough though, she could only achieve second place overall as Veronika Brüchle rode consistently to take the race win.

Elia Saurer, egged on by the crowd, produced a stellar performance to take the first SES podium of his career in third.

But ultimately Tim Bratschi, who didn't put a foot wrong all day, deservedly took the race win to keep his narrow lead in the Series Overall.

All smiles for Mirco Widmer as he enjoys back to back podiums and stays hot on Bratschi's heels in the overall.

Next stop, podiums! Delicious Möhl cider at the ready.

And the crowd was ready, one guy couldn't have been more ready if he'd tried.

This guy, not so much.

Teams Podium
1. Bixs Factory Team
2. FullsendTV Bikelane Racing
3. Cube Action Team

Elite Women
1. Veronika Brüchle
2. Sidonie Jolidon
3. Carolin Gehrig

Elite Men
1. Tim Bratschi
2. Mirco Widmer
3. Elia Saurer

And what's not to like about some good old fashioned Pit Games featuring some of our youngest shredders...

...some insanely skilful silly senders...

...all the way to some of our most experienced pros. Jonas Bernet can launch a long jump we'll tell you that much for free.

He took the Pit Games win to wrap up an unbelievable weekend!

The last race of the 2022 season takes place on 28th August in Airolo. It's going to be one hell of a finale!

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