Nordic Gravel Series: Clara Koppenburg and Jan Stöckli Seal the Overall Win
Clara Koppenburg and Jan Stöckli are your 2026 Nordic Gravel Series overall winners. A hard-fought battle in the Women’s and Men’s Elite fields, with the NGS 2026 podium decided at the series finale at Gravel Grit’n Grind Halmstad, Sweden.
06.10.2026
With minimal point differences after 3 events, the final classification of the Nordic Gravel Series 2026 was far from decided before the Halmstad event. In the women’s field, Clara went into the final race as overall leader; by out-sprinting Femke Markus on the finish in Halmstad and finishing 4th, she secured the overall win. On the men’s side, Jan took 7th place and scored sufficient points over his Danish competitors Magnus Klaris Bak and Rasmus Bogh Wallin to secure the overall win in the Men’s Elite category.
The Nordic Gravel Series are a series of four races across Finland and Sweden, taking place from May to September. The races in the Nordics have become favourites in Clara’s and Jan’s densely packed race calendar. Endless gravel roads, well-organised races, strong competition, and always a notch of the relaxed, composed, nature-loving Nordic lifestyle.
Check out our latest 'Gravel Grinders' episode and follow Clara and Jan to the Falling Leaves race-weekend in Lahti, Finland.
For Clara, this wasn’t just a victory on the results list:
"Two wins, an overall title, and new confidence - my NGS races were season highlights for results and growth. The Nordic Gravel Series started in Porvoo, Finland. Rain turned a tough course into mud. I broke away early. The last ten kilometres were technical, muddy, and tough. Suddenly I realised there were only three of us left, and that I could actually win. I attacked as hard as I could and never looked back. I gave everything in the sprint and won—relieved and proud."
Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, trust yourself and go.
Clara’s experience in the series was also a lesson in learning to trust herself and race proactively. After a frustrating day at the penultimate race of the series in Lahti, Finland, she decided to take control: "For the next day, I decided to take more responsibility for my own race. I attacked, pushed my limits, and ended up winning again. That victory meant a lot to me because it showed I could win by trusting myself and being the one to make the move. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, trust yourself and go.”
Next up for Clara and Jan: Gravel Burn in South Africa - a 7-day stage race through the semi-desert landscape of the Great Karoo.
