As usual, it's an impressive sight on Sunday morning on the Parpaner Rothorn: hundreds of riders and their mountain bikes wait on the bumpy terrain below the mountain station for the start of the 17th Bike Attack. Before the large field of men set off towards Churwalden at 1 p.m., the women traditionally start their race at 12.30 p.m.. A challenging 15-kilometre freeride route with around 1,800 meters of downhill and 180 meters of uphill awaits them all.

Birgit Braumann still has a long way to go

After one first and two second places in the Bike Attack in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Birgit Braumann from Vienna crossed the finish line in Churwalden in first place after 28 minutes and 51 seconds. "I really wanted it this year," admits the happy winner at the finish line. That's why she rode particularly carefully on the rougher sections so as not to risk a defect. Alongside Birgit Braumann, Kerstin Kögler in second place (30:41 minutes) and Andrea Wiederkehr in third place (31:28 minutes) complete the women's podium. At the award ceremony, Birgit Braumann let it be known that she had not had enough after this year's victory. In response to the somewhat indiscreet question from the speaker as to when she will retire, the 44-year-old replies with a grin: "Not for a long time yet!"

Wildhaber has competition luck on his side

Gusti Wildhaber, an experienced bike attack rider, is also at the top of the men's rankings. Having also started Sunday's race as the qualifying winner in the last two years, but being pushed back in the field due to flat tires and technical faults, the competition luck is on his side this year. After a commanding start/finish victory and a time of 23:59 minutes, Gusti Wildhaber was visibly satisfied at the finish line - especially with his choice of material. "I opted for rain tires. In the lower part, I was therefore able to make up important meters on the partly wet sections," explains the 29-year-old from Walenstadt.

Last year's winner Stefan Peter had a little more trouble to contend with. After two chain problems, he lost a few positions after a good start, but was able to fight his way back into second place towards the end and crossed the finish line in Churwalden around 45 seconds after Wildhaber. With a time of 24:46 minutes, Mirco Widmer from Flims crossed the finish line in third place, just behind Stefan Peter. Local hero Claudio Da Costa Loureiro from Valbella finished in a good fifth place with a time of 25:26 minutes.

Good atmosphere despite lower number of participants

O OC President Silvio Baselgia also drew a positive conclusion about the race weekend: "The atmosphere among the participants and visitors was very good and we are pleased that the 17th Bike Attack also went off without any major accidents or injuries". Only the lower number of participants clouded the joy about the good organization. "With around 350 registered participants, we are well down on previous years," emphasizes Silvio Baselgia. "We now have to go back to the books and review the competition format and route," he continues. A decision on how to proceed with the freeride classic Bike Attack is expected in fall 2017 at the earliest.