Under the pace dictated by Freiburghaus, the quartet of Jérémy Huguenin, Lukas Winterberg and Lukas Buchli managed to pull away from the rest early on. Whenever the pace slows down a little, either Freiburghaus or Huguenin takes the lead and pushes it up again. This meant that neither Hansueli Stauffer, who was also initially part of the leading group, nor the duo of Konny Looser and Xavier Dafflon or the other chasers, who were fighting in small groups to catch up with the leaders, had any chance of catching up again.

"The rule of the Elsa Bike Trophy is simple: the pace is stepped up on every climb. Those who can withstand it the longest will ride to victory at the end," says Freiburghaus from Neuenegg, summarizing his tactics. "When I was still in the lead five kilometers before the finish, I knew that I could take the win. I'm in good shape and the course suits me," explains Freiburghaus, who rode the long distance (60 km) in Estavayer for the first time. However, he had already won the race in the short distance (30 km) in 2007 and 2012.

Second-placed Jérémy Huguenin is happy, even though he was very close to victory. "After my serious knee injury, which I sustained in a skiing accident in the winter, it's a miracle that I was able to ride here at all. I only had three road races under my belt, but hadn't been able to compete in a single bike race. The fact that things are going so well straight away gives me confidence," says the Frenchman from Neuchâtel.

"It was one too many for the podium. That's why the race was so bumpy at the front. Every time someone wasn't quite there at the end, it was particularly tough," explains Lukas Buchli, who ended up in a thankless fourth place. Even if there was a slight hint of disappointment, he was still very satisfied with his performance. "This course doesn't really suit me. Nevertheless, I was able to keep up with the best. That gives me confidence for the Swiss Championships, which take place in Evoléne in a week's time," says Buchli.

In the women's race, last year's winner Milena Landtwing had to give way to Ariane Kleinhans - just like in 2013, when the Elsa Bike Trophy was advertised as the Swiss Marathon Championships. "It went really well for me. In view of the upcoming Swiss and World Championships, I spent three weeks at an altitude training camp. Nevertheless, I had great legs today," Kleinhans sums up positively.
Landtwing says: "It was too hot for me today. Ariane was already over the hill by the time I found my rhythm." Third place went to Florence Darbellay from Neuchâtel.www.swissbikemarathon.ch