Over 250 riders from 19 different nations will be at the start of the iXS Swiss Downhill Cup in Verbier, which, after a year's break as host, will once again provide the perfect setting for a top-class race. The course has a very special charm, as it is definitely one of the most physically and technically demanding in Switzerland.

As with the previous Swiss Downhill Cup races, Swiss Sport TV will once again be reporting live from the finish area in Verbier.

The races in the license categories begin with the Pro Masters, where Fabian Buschor (SUI - RSF) secures victory. After the 30-year-old had to settle for second place in the first two races, his victory means he is now almost certain to win the overall standings. Martin Kägi (SUI - Velobude) finished second, followed by Luis Ribeiro (POR - Penacova DH U.D.Lorvanence).

The youngest as fast as the elite

Janosch Klaus (SUI - Team Project) wins once again in the U17 category. This is the third race in a row that the 16-year-old has secured full points, meaning he can no longer be denied overall victory. It's always worth comparing his times with those of higher classes. This time, his time of 4:13.216 minutes was again enough for victory in the U19 class and even a sensational fifth place in the elite category. Jannik Baechler (SUI - IDirt Racing Team) finished second in the youngest category, pushing Jules Pucod (FRA - Les Gets) into third place.

In the rather sparsely populated "Elite Women" category, Janine Hübscher (SUI - iDirt Racing Team) won, while Lisa Rohrbach (SUI - Lakeland Racing) and Dorota Grabkowska (POL - Deity) completed the podium. Here, too, the comparison to the Open Women's winner Anna Newkirk inevitably comes to mind. The 16-year-old from Team Project would also have won clearly in the women's elite.

After three Hot Trail riders once again took first place in the U19 class in the seeding run, Liam Seydoux (SUI - RForce8) could put a spoke in their wheel in the final run. However, the riders from the Wiriehorn-based club take the first two places, but this time in reverse order compared to the last race. In Verbier, Pascal Reusser came out on top, beating Luca Henzi into second place with a time of 4:18.631 minutes and a wafer-thin lead of two and a half tenths of a second.

Blue is the new fast

Due to problems in the seeding run, local hero Maxime Chapuis (SUI - Specialized/ Verbier Bikepark) starts the elite race in third place. His time of 4:10.688 minutes is almost as fast as his best time from the previous day. The former Swiss champion, who won the title on this track in 2015, thus takes his place in the "Red Bull Hot Seat" for a long time.

Only Felix Klee, in the blue jersey of Team Project, who started third last, beat the time and replaced Chapuis as the leader. Charly Di Pasquale (FRA - Indem) then crossed the finish line, but remained behind Chapuis. Now all eyes are on runner-up Swiss champion Basil Weber, also in the blue Team Project jersey. He crosses the finish line and sets the fastest time of the weekend. As a result, the Laax resident also takes the lead in the overall standings and is considered the big favorite for the final race in Bellwald at the beginning of October.

No race in 2018

As in 2015, Verbier once again put on a great race with perfect weather. It is already clear that the winter sports resort in the Lower Valais will not be on the iXS Downhill Cup calendar next year. However, it is hoped that the series will stop there again in 2019.