"The most beautiful thing"

In the elite women's race, expectations were high for an exciting race after Sina Frei's first elite victory in Leukerbad. However, Jolanda Neff returned after the first lap with a lead of several seconds over her pursuers. And the tension for the title continued to dwindle. The European champion steadily extended her lead and was soon out of reach of her rivals. The fact that Frei drops the chain in the early stages is no longer relevant given Neff's strength.

Meanwhile, Sina Frei and Linda Indergand prepare for the battle for silver. After six laps, Neff rides to her sixth Swiss title with an incredible two and a half minute lead. Sina Frei had the better end and the silver medal, while Indergand was delighted with the bronze award.

"I was still cautious in Leukerbad as it was my first mountain bike race after my crash in the winter. I also didn't know how it would turn out, but then I was super happy with my second place. But now I went into the race with more confidence, knowing that I'm back to my best. But I never expected such a clear result. The result is secondary in that sense, because the most important thing for me is that I'm completely healthy again, have no pain and can ride at this level again - that's the best thing for me," said Neff, delighted with her perfect race.

Alessandra Keller and Andrea Waldis finished fourth and fifth respectively. Keller was almost brought down at the start, lost a lot of time as a result and was subsequently unable to compete for the medals. For Waldis, however, fifth place is a successful comeback after her detour into track cycling.

A duel with strong pursuers

In the elite men's race, a four-man lead group soon formed with Lars Forster, Mathias Flückiger, Nino Schurter and Thomas Litscher. But as early as the third lap, the leading duo of Flückiger/Schurter is halved. Behind the pursuers Forster and Litscher, Lukas Flückiger crawls into fifth position.

While Flückiger and Schurter complete their laps together, Forster is alone for 15 seconds. Lukas Flückiger's race to catch up continues, he is even the fastest in the sixth lap and is now in fourth position.

Then the tide turns. Nino Schurter attacks and Mathias Flückiger falls back a little on the seventh lap, while Lars Forster comes dangerously close to him again. But the constellation remains the same: Schurter defends his title, Flückiger wins silver as in the previous year and Forster takes the bronze medal. Even if it is the leather medal, Lukas Flückiger can be pleased with a strong comeback and fourth place, ahead of Filippo Colombo, who is completing his first elite year.

Roth the strongest

The U23 race was dominated by a trio until the fourth lap: Joel Roth, Alexandre Balmer and Vital Albin. But then Roth and Balmer pulled away a little, and later Balmer also had to let the strong rider from Aargau go. While Balmer is still within striking distance, Albin falls back faster and has to hand over his third position to Fabio Püntener.

But that was not the end for Albin. While Roth becomes Swiss champion for the first time and Balmer secures the silver medal, the Grisons native fights his way back and past Püntener to take the bronze award.

In the U23 women's race, Jacqueline Schneebeli wins in her first year in the U23 category. She relegates Noëlle Buri and Ramona Kupferschmied to the places of honor.