As the Marathon World Championships are also being held on the same weekend, leader and double winner Jukka Vastaranta and Konny Looser will have to skip the third race of the EKZ Cup in Andwil. This puts Marcel Bartholet in the spotlight. "I've trained well and am in good shape. A podium finish is always the goal!" says the current second-placed rider in the overall standings. Jürg Graf, also a Cup favorite and in good shape, is also fighting for the day's victory. However, it is quite possible that one or the other World Cup rider will suddenly appear spontaneously at the start in Gossau/Andwil. Ralph Näf, for example, is considering a start in Andwil in St. Gallen. Late registrations are accepted up to 20 minutes before the start and always provide surprises at the start line.

Women's Cup lead is hotly contested
In the women's race, the duel between the two strong Sabrinas enters the next round. After Maurer took the lead in Wetzikon, Baumgartner responded immediately in Hittnau. "It will certainly be exciting again. I just have to give it my all," says Cup leader Baumgartner, who only has a small cushion over her rival. In the women's race, too, other top riders often only register on race day and perhaps a protagonist of the European Bike Championship will suddenly make the race for the podium places difficult for the two Cup favorites.

Varied and challenging course
Immediately after the start in Gossau, the bikers chase up a steep tarred climb. Climbing skills are required here. After a rapid and spectacular descent, the participants turn into a beautiful single trail along a stream. If you have your bike under control, you can make up a few seconds here over hill and dale. Others will try to recover a little, as a rough meadow ascent follows immediately afterwards. In the next part, a rather flat meadow section, often with some wind and uneven ground, the pulse remains high and brings the racers back to the finish area. "The route remains the same, as it is simply ideal. We will be holding the entire event in the usual, tried-and-tested setting," says OC boss Andy Steiger, referring to the great festival restaurant, which will provide excellent catering for athletes and fans alike. So there will be plenty for young and old to see and marvel at. In addition to the festival restaurant and the attractive route for spectators, there will also be an exhibitor village with the latest bike-related products and a bouncy castle for children.

Races in all categories
The supra-regional EKZ Cup race series is now well established in the national racing calendar. Around 400 bikers regularly take part. Well-known top athletes often prepare for their major events at the attractive and challenging races. A special feature of the EKZ Cup are the races for young riders, which start at 9.00 am. The number of laps and the length of the course vary depending on the category. Pupils complete a shortened lap, while the race for the youngest in the Pfüderi category is decided after just over one kilometer. The main categories Overall Ranking (men) and women start together at 1.30 pm. The men will complete six long laps, the women four. The fastest men will have completed this workload in a good 70 minutes, the fastest women in just under 60 minutes. The fun categories start at 3.15 pm. One hour later, the fun category, which was met with great interest last year, will start again this year.

A six-minute race report will be broadcast on Sport Szene Fernsehen SSF next Tuesday evening. In the EKZ Cup Magazin at 6.50 pm and 7.50 pm, the most important aspects of the race in Gossau/Andwil will be summarized once again. The protagonists will have their say and background information on the event will be presented. In addition, further exciting video and photo contributions will be available on the social media channels from Monday.Source: Press release, www.ekz-cup.ch