Nathalie Schneitter is one of the most popular female cyclists in Switzerland. One of Schneitter's season highlights is the cross-country race during the Bikedays in Solothurn, where, as a local hero, she can count on the full support of her fan club. A native of Lommiswil, she has been competing in bike races since 2000 and has been a member of the Swiss national team since the fall of 2001. Schneitter’s main disciplines remain cross-country and the eliminator sprint; her strengths lie in short, tough climbs and gritty downhills.

On the enduro podium
Schneitter wants to focus more on a downhill-oriented riding style in the 2013 season and expand his competitive repertoire to include enduro. Schneitter gained her first enduro experience in 2011 at the Trail Trophy in Lenzerheide. Last season, Schneitter finished second at the Superenduro Monti della Tolfa and demonstrated her class by taking the top spot on the podium at the Superenduro in Pila.

New to Transalpes
Schneitter has brought a new supplier on board so that he doesn’t have to compete in enduro events on the Colnago race hardtail. The Zwillikon-based bike manufacturer Transalpes is custom-building a “Transalpes BM 650B” specifically for the versatile athlete. Transalpes is building a bike for Schneitter that rolls onto the starting line on 650b wheels, is equipped with SRAM’s XX1 drivetrain and Kind Shocks LEV suspension, and, with a total weight of 12.3 kilos, seems predestined for enduro competition.

No clear race calendar yet
However, it is still unclear which enduro competitions Schneitter will be taking part in this season, as his main focus remains on cross-country competitions. “I’ll probably switch to enduro in the fall after the World Cup finals. There simply isn’t enough time before then,” Schneitter tells Ride about his ambitions in this booming racing discipline.

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