Lucas Strittmatter

Philipp Vogel

Yannick Rubli

Marco Stalder

Jonas Flükiger

Christian Waser

Marius Schada

Nemo Brigatti

Andy Styger

Luca Bernasconi

Julie von Gruenigen

Cristian Batista

Mascha Wahlig

Pius Gloor

Christian Bachofner

Moriz Schönbächler

Guillaume De Cezac

David Rölli

Christian Reber

Benjamin Schroeteler

Pius Erni

Stavros Antifakos

Henri Walter

Mathias Jäger

Simon Casanova

Dominik Brun

Anna Pomwenger

Stefan Kiene

Max Rieder

Nora Bataillard

Oliver Gyger

Ronja Trachsler

Philipp Marty

Franz Lipp

Beat Ruettimann

André Zowalla

Patrick Stalder

Daniel Gona

Jonathon MacDougall

Fabian Furrer

Rolf Steiner

Ellena Brandner

Andrea Seiermann

Alfons Gut

Vincent Bodmer

Pirmin Bütler

Felix Mechelke

Claudio Limacher

Franziskus Weissbarth

Cristian Agache

Willi Felix

Michaël Vauthey

Simon Schmid

Rico Roesti

Estelle Pasche

Noah Dolmetsch

Nils Müller

Ronald Zandstra

Dennis Wild

Moritz Grämiger

Lino Capponi

Alessandro Hänggli

Lukas Humbel

Flurin Kipfer

Roman Eich

Dimitri Spindler

Jens Chiavi

Em Wilson

Nikolai Stahr

Manuel Brügger

Sebastian Weiche

Robin Skoge

Manuel Näf

Niels Stoffers

Andrea Guidugli

Ralf Baumann

Pierre Gasparotto

Simone Eder

Luki Moor

Manuel Schmid

Jochen Bihn

Till Moosberger

Noah Eugster

Woohyun Jung

Sebastian Allig

Dominic Kunz

Jan Steiner

Johannes Preindl

Simon Büchele

Tom Siegenthaler

Marco Glutz

Sergej Isbrecht

Alexandru-Lucian Pop

William Häni

Vincent Hey

Moritz Kneuer

Ferdi Weigl

Hansruedi Bucher

Barbara Bucher

Dominik Baeriswyl

Christophe Baeriswyl

Tim Frankowski

Julie Grob

Vera Camponovo

Elvira Schmid

Antoine Monnot

Manon Arduino

Meik Randegger

Michael Gantner

Stella Walter

Lukas Baier

Adrian Pirlet

This past weekend saw the return of [303LUCERNE](https://www.instagram.com/303lucerne/ "303 Lucerne Instagram"), one of Switzerland’s most challenging and scenic
endurance bikepacking events. 89 riders lined up for the 08:30 start on Saturday morning, ready to tackle the 303-kilometre route laced with more than 8,000 metres of elevation gain and over 60% off-road terrain, including rugged doubletrack, forest trails, and technical singletrack sections rated up to S3 difficulty. With multiple hike-a-bike segments, this event was not all about riding and also about true mountain biking, about testing the limits of endurance, skill, and mental grit.![303Lucerne 2025 Start Line](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1ZSY4GrJiqWBZhQV0g7ABn/4a9bc72cb3a1b478e70b339db33fb698/20250517_082319.jpg)The route was divided into three sectors, each offering its own challenges across Switzerland’s wild heartland. Though dubbed a “challenge” rather than a race, many riders approached it competitively, especially those preparing for the upcoming [HOPE1000](https://dotwatcher.cc/race/hope-1000-2025 "Hope 1000 2025 on DotWatcher.cc"), just weeks away. Among the starters were several high-profile ultra-distance riders, including previous winners [Yannick Rubli](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Yannick%20Rubli "Yannick Rubli DotWatcher Profile") and [Julie von Grünigen](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Julie%20von%20Gr%C3%BCnigen "Julie von Grunigen DotWatcher Profile"), both returning to defend their fastest times on the course.
This event does not celebrate winners or involve champagne showers at the finish line. However, here is a summary of the fastest riders in this year's edition.![303Lucerne 2025 Tree Track](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3VRTTFvIM91e8duiVIiSXu/d0673e2ca7d09af32b9fc69378ca5abd/20250517_114952.jpg)
# Sector 1: «Do You Kiss On The First Date?»
__Lucerne (KM0) – Sörenberg (KM86), 86km, +3’100m+__

The first sector led riders into the remote alpine region of Sörenberg, a small ski town with limited resupply options — making careful planning crucial. This opening section was perhaps the most technically and physically demanding, including the steepest climbs and the event’s longest hike-a-bike stretch, clocking in at 20 to 40 minutes. Riders encountered exposed ridge lines, root-laced singletrack, and punchy ascents through deep forest — an early warning that this was not a ride to take lightly. Despite the challenges, the feedback from riders was overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted the raw beauty and remoteness of the landscape as a defining feature of 303LUCERNE. The course was clearly designed to immerse participants in Switzerland’s wilder side, far from the beaten path.![303Lucerne 2025 Riders Snack](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4WGjgQBtfkGrYvyCXY3mWH/991a80562e22392480a62c9de37b58a7/DSC04421.jpg)
# Sector 2: «No Mercy Miles»
__Sörenberg (KM86) – Huttwil (KM200), 115km, +3’400m__

Sector two carried on in the same vein—remote, steep, and relentless—taking riders through Langnau and over the punishing climbs of Lüderenalp and Hochänzi (Napf region), before dropping into Huttwil. While the descents offered some relief, they were anything but freewheeling. Riders found themselves challenged by steep, unexpected climbs tucked between descents, adding a mental toll to the physical fatigue. Although the elevation profile suggested a slight reprieve, many riders noted that this section tested not just legs but resolve, especially as fatigue started setting in.![303 Lucerne 2025 Rider Descending](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2h61USN4jl1rsZxhLalFWM/f5d05263c8c2905fd9d4965efd46fc16/_DSF3413.JPG)
# Sector 3: «Country Roads, Take Me Home»
__Huttwil (KM200) – Lucerne (KM303), 102km, +1’650m__

At first glance, Sector 3 seemed more manageable—rolling hills and fewer dramatic spikes on the
elevation chart. But the final stretch still demanded focus, with hidden technical sections and tired legs turning “rolling terrain” into a significant effort. Interestingly, many riders managed to pick up speed here, perhaps sensing the finish line. Notably, most riders adopted a “no-sleep” strategy, foregoing sleeping gear entirely in favour of travelling light. With the constant climbing and challenging terrain, this approach gave a definite advantage — if riders could keep the fatigue at bay.![303Lucerne 2025 Duo Racing](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6ys5hYfvnw2Xq4b73MDrFj/e470f6c0d73fdd47447c24fe4dde1573/_DSC6092.JPG)
# Women’s Fastest Time
In the women’s field, Julie von Grünigen establishing a lead over Mascha Wahlig early in the event. The route played to Julie’s strengths—steep climbs and a need for smart pacing. While technical sections played in favour of Mascha. Julie held her advantage steadily throughout the course and expressed her joy at how well the route suited her along the route.
Mascha Wallig rode strong despite suffering a minor crash later in the day, which may have hampered her ability to close the gap. Nevertheless, her performance remained resilient, and she finished with a commendable time.![303Lucerne 2025 Finishes Embrace](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7jLIy1HbZqxqjNipwlUAGM/dae3fa2756f513bb57ca167cbb084052/_DSF3791.JPG)
# Men’s Fastest Time
Last year’s champion, Yannick Rubli, set a fast pace from the start, accompanied for much of the race by a strong group, including [Lucas Strittmatter](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Lucas%20Strittmatter "Lucas Strittmatter DotWatcher Profile"), Philipp Vogel, and [Marco Stalder](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Marco%20Stalder "Marco Stalder") — all seasoned riders with impressive résumés in other endurance events. The decisive moment came after Langnau, when Strittmatter began to distance himself from Vogel in a cat-and-mouse game that would last through to Hitzkirch (KM 261). While Vogel held a slight edge on the climbs, Strittmatter’s MTB skills allowed him to reel back the gap on technical descents. It was at Hitzkirch that Strittmatter extended his lead and sealed the fastest time with a smart combination of pacing and technical finesse.![303Lucerne 2025 Male Finishers ](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/665plOglvBrJgHfpm37suC/6688f518d61ad02ca98d1a3cc42bcc6f/_DSF3755.JPG)
# Pair’s Fastest Time
Pair No. 124 featured two former professional cyclists, Domic Kunz and Jan Steiner. There was no
doubt they had the legs to push serious wattage — but they also proved they had the endurance to
sustain a high pace over many hours. Riding strong and steady throughout, they even found time to
enjoy and celebrate some of the descents. Maintaining a comfortable lead, they cruised to the finish with a comfortable lead.![303Lucerne 2025 Finishers ](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1acGfoOkg4AX8jSPt9niFV/4a46589fba64b84b54c97c41d138e56d/_DSF3923.JPG)
# Final Thoughts
303LUCERNE continues to define itself not just as a race, but as a true adventure challenge, where finishing is an achievement in itself. Riders pushed themselves through an uncompromising blend of alpine terrain, limited resupply — all wrapped in the breathtaking wilderness of central Switzerland. Whether used as a testbed for future events like HOPE1000 or as a personal mission to explore the limits of one’s endurance, 303LUCERNE delivered a weekend of grit, beauty, and unforgettable trails.![303Lucerne 2025 Happy Male Finisher](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7C6cITlq3AFaQF6bkKsoUb/336a2bf31cfd1e05092e47b4c63c1bb1/DSC04417.jpg)
# Women’s Top 10
1. Julie von Grünigen
2. Mascha Wahlig
3. Anna Pomwenger
4. Nora Bataillard
5. Ronja Trachsler
6. Ellena Brandner
7. Andrea Seiermann

# Men’s Top 10
1. Lucas Strittmatter
2. Philipp Vogel
3. Yannick Rubli
4. Marco Stalder
5. Jonas Flükiger
6. Christian Waser
7. Marius Schada
8. Nemo Brigatti
9. Andy Styger
10. Luca Bernasconi

*Words by Raphael Gassmann*

303LUCERNE 2025: A Demanding Test Through the Heart of Switzerland

A relatively new challenge is taking place for the second time in Lucerne. Over two days, 100 riders will cycle through the most scenic dirt roads the region has to offer!


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