The BMC Racing Cup venue Tesserete once again attracts numerous riders from home and abroad to the beautiful and technical forest track around the Torre di Redde. However, the participants will not be at the start to see the tower. Once again, the aim is to collect valuable points for the overall Cup rankings, as well as for the world rankings. For many athletes, the race in Tesserete is also a final test of form before the World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, the following weekend.

Julien Absalon will be putting the finishing touches to his preparation for South Africa in Tesserete. After all, the Frenchman has never been able to claim a victory there and is therefore likely to have unfinished business with this race. Absalon's closest rival, Nino Schurter, is currently in South Africa recovering from the Cape Epic. He is therefore avoiding the duel in Tesserete and saving the tension for the World Cup race.

For Fabian Giger, Tesserete is a test of form and training at the same time. However, he reveals that he would like a top result despite his training intentions: "A good result is always nice and gives you confidence for the upcoming World Cup. After his podium finish in Montichiari, Ralph Näf also has a chance of a good result. What's more, after his thigh injury, he is once again taking advantage of the race load before the first World Cup. Thomas Litscher and Moritz Milatz (GER) are also hot podium contenders in Tesserete. For Mathias Flückiger, Tesserete is a "not unimportant race". In view of Pietermaritzburg, he wants to test his form and build up his confidence.Neff as the big favorite
The big contender for victory in the women's race is Jolanda Neff. She is already in impressive form, as she impressively demonstrated in Montichiari. Neff admits that she enjoys taking part in the BMC Racing Cup races, as she likes both the routes and the atmosphere at these races. Kathrin Stirnemann should not be overlooked. Third in Montichiari, she is in good shape and has already stood on the top step of the podium in Tesserete. Her teammates Sabine Spitz and Adelheid Morath are also on the start list and are also in contention for a top place.

Two-time world champion Irina Kalentieva is also a possible contender. She is joined by four other Russians. We can also look forward to seeing Linda Indergand. After her fifth place in Montichiari, she has a lot to live up to in Tesserete.

Dominik Grab, Andrin Beeli and Nicolas Fischer are likely to fight it out for victory in the amateur category. The trio finished first to third in the BMC Racing Cup in Buchs. Former Swiss elite champion Jürg Graf is also likely to achieve a top result. The winner of Buchs, the German Luca Schwarzbauer, will be competing in the juniors. From a Swiss perspective, Ramon Lauener and Rémy Dénervaud have the best maps for the top places. The starting position in the juniors is exciting. Nicole Koller's victory in Buchs has reshuffled the maps. Sina Frei, who finished second in the same race, is also likely to win in Tesserete. It is just as possible that world champion Alessandra Keller will reclaim the top position.www.bmc-racing-cup.ch