The 2020 season was characterized by cancellations and postponements. How has that affected your planning for 2021? I have to assume that all races will take place and reschedule at short notice if things turn out differently. I think the organizers have now found a way to deal with corona so that the races can take place. I am confident that it will be a reasonably normal season. At least I'm pretty sure about the World Cup races.

What lessons have you learned from last season?
You have to remain flexible. That's still necessary this year. Unlike last year, I will ride more small races this season to stay in the racing rhythm. I didn't do that enough in 2020 and then took too long to get up to speed when all the big races took place within three weeks.

Not only cancellations but also travel restrictions have an impact on the races you can ride. How do you deal with this?
The regulations change all the time and it's difficult to keep up to date. Fortunately, we have an exemption from Swiss Olympic for training camps and competitions. With a negative test, we can travel wherever we want and return to Switzerland.

Are you in danger of being more concerned with travel and quarantine regulations than building up your form?
There is a risk of this, because you can't avoid dealing with it, if only because you have to plan travel routes and race participations accordingly. Nevertheless, I concentrate on my training, but it is a challenge.

You switched to Specialized Racing for the 2021 season. What were the reasons for this? Specialized is one of the best-known brands in the world. It's a great opportunity to ride for such a big team. Ghost was already very professionally managed. But at Specialized, everything is one size bigger, and racing is even more important to the company.

Most riders change teams shortly after the Olympic Games. Why did you switch shortly before that?
My contract with Ghost expired at the end of 2020. I had the option to extend it, but then decided to go with Specialized.

How does a contract like this come about? Do you meet in secret or is it just your management communicating with the company? You know each other and then you meet once. So that there are no rumors, you don't do it on the racetrack, of course. Ultimately, it's like any job change. You either apply or you get an offer.

I assume that you didn't have to apply to Specialized.
They took the first step, that's right. That was earlier, by the way. Without being specific, we looked to see if we would fit together.

Were you able to choose which team you would continue your career with?
Shortly before I signed with Specialized, there was another very interesting offer. I was very lucky, it's not at all a given that you can choose. It was also simply the right time for a change.

What has changed with the change of team, what remains the same?
Only I'm staying the same, everything else is new: the equipment, the staff. I haven't taken any coaches with me.

How did you get used to the new bike?
The Brain system, which automatically opens and closes the fork suspension, is quite special, but extremely cool. I felt amazingly comfortable with it after just one minute on the bike. I noticed it most during technical exercises such as wheelies and manuals, where it was extremely different. It quickly became second nature on the trail and now I wouldn't want to give this system back.

The 2021 season will be dominated by the Olympic Games in Tokyo. How do you rate your chances of selection?
It's all wide open for us Swiss women. But if I continue to ride my bike fast, as I have done for the last two seasons, then I should make it. But nothing is certain.

Because of your position in the world rankings, you have the best maps. What options would you travel to Tokyo with?
The track in Tokyo is cool, it suits me. I finished second at the test event. If I'm on the start line there, I'll ride with the attitude that nothing is impossible.