In the men’s race, a fast-paced, tactical contest unfolded right from the start in Vallorbe. By the time they reached the grueling climb up the Dent de Vaulion, a trio consisting of Tim Smeenge, Tristan Arioli, and Jakob Hartmann had broken away from the pack and was setting the pace at the front. It became clear as early as the first steep sections that Smeenge still had the most reserves left. With unbridled determination, he pulled away from his rivals on the push section. The Dutchman, who had already finished second in the highly competitive marathon in Riva del Garda in early May, held onto his lead over the remaining twelve kilometers through the technically demanding singletrack down to the finish in Vallorbe and celebrated a solo victory.

Micha Klötzli from Tramelan was the top Swiss finisher

The 21-year-old Frenchman Arioli secured second place, 46 seconds behind. Another 90 seconds passed before the German Hartmann crossed the finish line in third place—seven seconds ahead of the Belgium-born Swiss resident Frans Claes, who narrowly missed the podium in fourth but managed to beat the Italian Alessandro Saravalle in the sprint. Micha Klötzli was the top Swiss finisher in sixth place. He said: “As last year’s third-place finisher, I naturally wanted to reach the podium again, but I soon realized that the pace at the front was too high for me and rode at my own rhythm. I have to be satisfied with sixth place, because the field was stronger than last year.” Co-favorite Martin Fanger didn’t have his best day. Starting the race slightly under the weather with a cold, he also suffered a flat tire on the descent, thereby losing his chance at a podium finish; Fanger managed to finish in eighth place.

Weinbeer in a class of her own

In the women’s race, spectators once again witnessed a veritable show of dominance. World Cup leader and World Championship silver medalist Anna Weinbeer made her mark on the marathon from the very start. Last year’s Bike Marathon Classics overall winner conquered the Jura peaks in a league of her own. By the finish line, her lead over second-place finisher Alessia Nay was more than 20 minutes. Nay, in turn, engaged in a thrilling duel with French rider Margot Moschetti on the final ridge trail back to Vallorbe, which was characterized by counter-climbs, and successfully prevailed in the gripping finale.

Results

Men (71 km) 

1. Tim Smeenge (Ho) 3:33:13. 
2. Tristan Arioli (Fr) 0:46. 
3. Jakob Hartmann (De) 2:18. 
4. Frans Claes (Be/Gunten) 2:25. 
5. Alessandro Saravalle (It) same time. 
6. Micha Klötzli (Tramelan) 3:54. 
7. Hannes Riegger (De) 5:21. 
8. Martin Fanger (Geneva/Sarnen) 7:33. 
9. Roberto Bou (Spain) 10:11. 
10. Aaron Wilhelmi (Germany) same time.

Women (71 km)

1. Anna Weinbeer (Basel) 4:10:49. 
2. Alessia Nay (Zizers) 20:56. 
3. Margot Moschetti (Fr) 9:01 p.m. 
4. Kim Ames (De) 29:17. 
5. Chrystelle Baumann (Montalchez) 39:19. 
6. Laura Tissières (Martigny) 47:35. 
7. Stefanie Zahno (Bürchen) 53:05. 
8. Sandra Stadelmann (Courtételle) 1:07:16. 
9. Anne-Claire Defix (Fr) 2:18:38. 
10. Lorena Guy (Le Noirmont) 3:21:16.

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