Hirschi began competing in cycling at the age of 11, inspired both by his father's passion for the sport and by the success of Fabian Cancellara, who hails from the same region as Hirschi. He initially competed in mountain biking, before also practicing road, track and cyclo-cross as a teenager.[4] He was a two-time national junior road race champion, winning in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he was recruited by the BMC Development Team for his first season in the under-23 category, joining Development Team Sunweb the year after.
In September 2018 it was announced that he would join Team Sunweb from 2019 on a three-year contract, having been a member of Development Team Sunweb in 2018.[5][6] In the same month, Hirschi won the under-23 road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria.[7]
Team Sunweb (2019-2021)
During his first professional season in 2019, Hirschi finished third in the Clásica de San Sebastián.
In 2020, Hirschi had a breakout year: after starting the Tour de France for the first time,[8] he won a stage, three combative rider awards for his performances on individual stages and the overall Combativity award.[9] One week after the end of the Tour, he took the bronze medal in the Men's road race at the Road World Championships in Imola.[10] Three days later Hirschi took the win at La Flèche Wallonne, pulling away from the rest of the lead group in the last 50 metres of the final climb of the Mur de Huy. He was the first Swiss rider to win the race since Ferdinand Kübler in 1952.[11][12] Several days later, he also finished second to Primož Roglič at Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
In January 2021, Hirschi's contract with Team DSM was abruptly terminated, leaving Hirschi as a free agent.[13] No comment was given by Hirschi or Team DSM, other than that the contract was ended with mutual consent.[14] Days later, Hirschi signed a three-year contract with UAE Team Emirates.[3]
UAE Team Emirates (2021-present)
In his first season with the team, Hirschi took only one victory: stage two of the Tour de Luxembourg, going on to finish second overall.[15]
_-_UCI_Road_World_Championships_Innsbruck_Men_under_23_road_race.jpg)
