After 2012, the Swiss Downhill Championships are returning to the Wiriehorn, the longest-running venue on the Swiss racing calendar. The Hot-Trail team has once again done a great job and prepared the 2.8-kilometre course with over 400 meters of elevation gain perfectly for the race. The race also counts towards the iSX Swiss Downhill Cup.

Fast young talent

As is customary, the Open category will kick off the race day on Sunday before the Masters, the first license class, takes its turn. The fastest is Samuel Zbinden, who incidentally was already Elite Swiss Champion in 2002, 15 years ago. Fabian Buschor (SUI - RSF) and Martin Kägi (SUI) complete the podium.

In the U17 class, which starts afterwards, we can already speak of a real dominance and only hope that the other participants will not be discouraged. Janosch Klaus (SUI - Team Project) continues where he left off before - as the winner. The talented youngster needed 3:56.979 minutes for the course, which would have been enough for victory in the juniors and a top ten result in the elite. Behind him, Benjamin Beck (GER - BBS Youth Syndicate) and Samuel Willimann (SUI - Schmid Velosport Aarau Rohr) took second and third place respectively.

The category is a source of excitement for the organizing club. In the end, only riders from Hot-Trail-Racing ranked first to third, so that the next generation should be secured. Thomas Ryser, showcase athlete and long-time protagonist of the club, is visibly proud and can therefore certainly cope well with his wooden medal. Luca Henzi landed on the top step of the podium and was awarded the coveted champion's jersey. Pascal Reusser and Elia Saurer follow close behind with silver and bronze.

First title for Cappellari

Although there are only six riders at the start in the elite women's race and one of the biggest favorites is missing due to Emilie Siegenthaler's absence, nothing will be given away here. The anticipated duel between last year's champion Lea Rutz and the previous day's fastest Carina Cappellari is hard to beat in terms of excitement. In the end, with a time of 4:27.662 minutes, Cappellari has a very narrow lead of eight tenths of a second and can therefore claim the title for herself. Bronze goes to Alexandra Wohlgensinger.

Last but not least, the elite men's category is still to be decided. There were already signs of a team duel between Team Project and NS Bike Factory Racing the day before. After the duel in the seeding run went in favor of Basil Weber from Team Project, on Sunday it was Lutz Weber who not only held his nerve, but was also a tiny tick faster than and extended his 2016 championship title for another year. The 24-year-old from Laax completed the course in 3:47.518 minutes, which Basil Weber - also from Laax - was unable to match. Less than a second behind, he had to settle for second place in the end, although he was still able to prevent the NS Bikes Factory Team's double victory. Third place went to Noel Niederberger, who won the series opener in Schönried, but was apparently unable to build on this performance.

No break

iXS Swiss Downhill Cup is not taking a break and is moving straight on to beautiful Valais, to Verbier, where the third round is scheduled for next weekend.

www.ixsdownhillcup.com