The fact that the Rose-Vaujany team has recruited such a young athlete is a first in the team's history. However, Kerstin Thum, Team Manager of Rose-Vaujany, sees this approach as a great opportunity: "We deliberately decided against an established rider and instead wanted to give a young and talented athlete a chance. We work with our partners on a long-term basis, so we also have the opportunity for an athlete to develop with us. Aline is currently ranked 171st in the world (as of 19.12.2016) - I see her in the top 10 in three years' time."

Hitherto, Seitz has not only been strong in the cross-country. She is also a member of the Swiss national team in the individual time trial and on the road. In addition to the U23 cross-country World Cup, she is also set to ride some big events on the road in the 2017 season. However, Thum clearly sees her Seitz as a pure cross-country specialist in the long term and adds: "2017 will only be the start of the road to getting there."

Aline Seitz is currently at a training camp with the national team in Barcelona. The first meeting with her team colleagues in Mallorca is already scheduled for January, and the young athlete's anticipation is palpable: "I'm looking forward to it every day and I'm excited to see what's in store for me in the coming years. In any case, I'm very grateful for this opportunity, even though it comes with great respect," says Seitz, adding: "My new team colleagues are all already World Cup winners: Nathalie Schneitter in cross-country, Simon Gegenheimer in the Eliminator and Steffen Thum in the marathon. That means I have to open my eyes and learn a lot from them. But I am a fighter and want to show that I have what it takes to be a pro.