On lap one of five, Jacqueline Schneebeli and Mona Mitterwallner manage to open up a gap on the second group. Schneebeli does all the leading work, attempts to get Mitterwallner to work together fail.
"I just kept interspersing intervals on the climb, just like I practiced in training. Because it was my rhythm, I was always able to recover well on the descents," says Schneebeli, explaining her strategy. Whether this has a decisive effect remains unanswered.

The duo had already built up a lead of over two minutes when there was "a bang" behind them on the fourth lap, as Schneebeli recounts. Mitterwallner's rear tire had burst.
The decision was made. Mitterwallner resumes the race one minute behind after the changeover, but she is no closer. Schneebeli confidently rides the gold to the finish and cries with joy.
"When I heard that I was 1:30 minutes ahead, I just rode safely. It's super cool to be European champion," says Schneebeli.

Ronja Blöchlinger is in the four-strong chasing group behind the leading duo until the second lap. But then Blöchlinger crashes, twists her handlebars and injures her calf. She finishes the race in 19th place (+6:35). Lisa Baumann finishes 21st (+7:06).

Jacquelie Schneebeli in ecstasy after her solo ride. Photo ©Armin Küstenbrück / Ego Promotion

Janis Baumann only beaten in the sprint

The third competition of the European Championships in Brno, Czech Republic, with Swiss participation brings the third medal. Janis Baumann is beaten by Belgian Lukas Malezsewski in the sprint of the top duo in the junior race. Bronze goes to Britain's Harry Birchill (+1:09). Two Swiss riders, Dario Lillo and Luke Wiedmann, finished in the top ten in sixth (+1:50) and eighth (+2:01) respectively.

Because a rider has to come off his bike on a singletrail and holds up the following competitors, a five-man lead group is formed on the second lap. Janis Baumann is at the front, Dario Lillo is one of the chasers who have broken away.

The quintet remained together at the front until the start of the fourth of six laps, around 25 seconds ahead of the chasers.
"Then I didn't want to wait any longer and take the risk that there would be even more of us at the front. That's why I accelerated," reports Janis Baumann on his increase in speed, which only Lukas Malezsewski was able to follow. The duo quickly worked out a 20-second lead, but Malezsewski took the initiative and left Baumann behind.

The runner-up in the Swiss championships sticks to his rhythm and rides 15 seconds behind, while the gap to the rear grows to over half a minute. But the picture changes again on the final lap.

Baumann gets closer on the first climb, on the second he closes the gap and passes. Now the advantages seem to be on his side. But Malezsewski does not admit defeat.
"He was a bit more lively and was stronger when accelerating out of the corners. I had to keep closing gaps," said Baumann. "I was better on the longer climbs."

In the end, the Belgian's greater sprinting ability also decided the race in his favor, as he turned into the start-finish area in first position and could no longer be overtaken in the sprint.
"I'm happy with silver," is how Baumann, who is a year younger, sums it up.

Dario Lillo explains that he tried to save energy in the chasing group. "I always rode in second or third place so as not to invest too much."
Only on the penultimate lap did he and Austrian Mario Bair break into the chasing group. "On the last lap, however, I just had cramps and I had to fight to prevent the chasers from catching me," says Lillo.

Luke Wiedmann managed the race well and rode further and further forward as the race progressed. In the end, eighth place was a well-deserved reward. With Kedup Gyagang in eleventh place (+2:53) and Lars Sommer in twelfth (+2:59), two other Swiss riders were able to impress and ensure a strong team result.

Janis Baumann loses the sprint, but is delighted with his silver medal. Photo ©Armin Küstenbrück / Ego Promotion