At the international cyclo-cross in Hittnau, Zurich, which is part of the four-race EKZ-Cross-Tour, 17-year-old Sina Frei and Marlène Petit delight the spectators right up to the last millimeter of the race. Early on in the race, Swiss champion Sina Frei and the two French riders Marlène Petit and Juliette Labous form a front three that dominates the race from then on.

In the final, however, Labous had to let her two companions go and a thrilling battle for victory broke out at the front. On the last lap, Frei took the lead in the steep run up the castle hill and was the first to tackle the difficult descent. However, she is unable to pull away decisively, leading to a two-man sprint. Coming from second position, she shows a strong finish and secures victory ahead of Petit. The decision was so close that the jury needed a few minutes to decide the winner. "I'm very happy that it was enough in the end," says a relieved Sina Frei after the award ceremony, adding: "The race was very tough. But the varied course and the many great spectators made the race a special experience."

There is no change in the overall standings. Despite her absence in Hittnau, South Tyrolean Eva Lechner is still in first place thanks to her victories in the first two races. However, nothing has been decided yet and there are many signs of an exciting final in Eschenbach in six weeks' time.Weber no chance against Venturini - Grand third
At the very end, Frenchman Clément Venturini triumphed in a two-man sprint ahead of German Sascha Weber. Arnaud Grand secured third place, the first Swiss podium finish in the elite men's race at the EKZ-Cross-Tour.
The starting position in the men's race remains open for a long time. With just over a lap to go, a good ten riders are still in contention for victory. Among them, in addition to the three Swiss riders Arnaud Grand, Simon Zahner and Marcel Wildhaber, is the Italian Enrico Franzoi, who has won the Hittnau cyclo-cross the last two years. However, Franzoi's hat-trick came to nothing. When Sascha Weber split up the leading group with an attack shortly before the final finish, the Italian had to admit defeat.On the final lap, only Venturini and Grand managed to close the gap to Weber. After a slight slip in the technically demanding descent by Arnaud Grand, the Swiss hopes of victory are over in one fell swoop. Venturini and Weber finally reach the finishing straight two abreast. In the sprint, the Frenchman leaves his German opponent no chance. He takes the victory and can then immediately put on the leader's jersey of the overall leader of the EKZ-Cross-Tour. With one race to go, Venturini now has a 38-point lead over his compatriot Francis Mourey, who did not compete in Hittnau.

Photos ©radsportphoto.net/Steffen Müssiggang

Languageless OC president
After the final award ceremony, Hittnau OC President Romeo Tedaldi was overwhelmed by the whole event. "I have no words. It was a great day. We had perfect autumn weather, lots of enthusiastic spectators and very ambitious racers who battled it out right to the end. Especially the elite race at the very end was the crowning finale of a successful day. The excitement was guaranteed in both the men's and women's elite races right to the very end."

Final in Eschenbach
On December 14, the fourth and final race of the EKZ Cross Tour will take place in Eschenbach, St. Gallen. No decisions have yet been made after the three races. In the last race, everything is still open and the starting position for exciting duels for the overall victory in the various categories has been created.

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