Frei and Schätti are Swiss short track champions
It was the expected tactical race in the women's elite category at this year's Swiss Short Track Championships, which took place as part of the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup in Savognin on Friday evening. The strong field of riders with all the top Swiss riders stayed together for a long time.
It was only on the last lap that Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing) forced the pace. Frei ultimately prevailed in the sprint and celebrated her first elite championship title. Defending champion Nicole Koller (Ghost Factory Racing) rode to third place. "I like these intense races and I'm happy to have won the gold medal here. It gives me motivation for the next races," says Sina Frei.
Schätti beats Püntener
In the men's race, Luca Schätti (Bixs Performance Race Team) won by four seconds ahead of Fabio Püntener (Bike Team Solothurn). Schätti and Püntener, who are both having a strong season, fought a high-level duel from the penultimate lap onwards, with Schätti coming out on top. "The course suits me with the climb, I was able to take advantage of that," says Schätti. Timon Rüegg (BIXS Performance Race Team) took the bronze medal.
First champions in the U23 and U19
The Swiss short track champions were crowned for the first time in the U23 and U19 categories. Anina Hutter (Nexetis) took the gold medal in the U23 women's race ahead of Monique Halter (Thömus Akros) and Lea Huber (Nexetis). Finn Treudler (Cube Factory Racing) won the men's race ahead of Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros) and Khalid Sidahmed (Scott Davos MTB Project). In the U19 category, Joel Fluri (Bike Team Solothurn) and Anja Grossmann (Specialized Junior Team Switzerland) took the gold medal. There was silver for Noah Schnyder and Tess de Almeida (Thömus Young), bronze for Dario Rohn (Bike Team Solothurn) and Lou-Anne Halter (Ka Boom - Raceteam).
The title hunt continues on Saturday
The battle for the Swiss cross-country champion jerseys will begin on Saturday in Savognin. The country's best riders will line up on the starting line in both the women's and men's races. The men's race in particular will be an exciting one. The surprise rider of the season so far, Fabio Püntener, is challenging the veterans Nino Schurter and Mathias Flückiger.
From left: Joel Fluri, Sina Frei, Luca Schätti, Anina Hutter & Finn Treudler.
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.