Surprising victory for Wiedmann, emotional success for Forchini

High-class mountain biking at the end of the season on the legendary Bike Kingdom course: Ramona Forchini (JB Brunex Superior Factory Racing) and young Luke Wiedmann (Thömus maxon) secured the day's victories in Graubünden. The overall Cup victories went to Seraina Leugger and Timon Rüegg (both Bixs Performance Race Team).

Dignified conclusion to the CIC Swiss Bike Cup in Lenzerheide with many honors and great sport: The surprise of the weekend was the only 21-year-old Luke Wiedmann (Thömus maxon), who fought a continuously exciting duel with the favorite and Swiss champion Filippo Colombo (Scott-Sram MTB Racing) from the middle of the race.

Colombo came late into the race after a tough start, but Wiedmann's current form did not allow any weaknesses in his opponents. The U23 European runner-up, a brilliant technician, not only made for an exciting final, but also impressively proved in the Bike Kingdom that he is a force to be reckoned with in the future. Third-placed Fabio Püntener (Bike Team Solothurn) crossed the finish line over a minute behind Wiedmann and Colombo.

In fourth place, Timon Rüegg secured the overall classification. Vital Albin (Thömus Maxon) from Graubünden had wanted to fight for his third overall victory in a row in front of his home crowd, but had to cancel his start with a heavy heart due to a concussion.

Forchini with a farewell performance from her racing team

The 30-year-old Ramona Forchini from Toggenburg, three-time world champion in various mountain bike disciplines, put in a commanding performance in the Bike Kingdom right from the start. Forchini won in the orange and black team jersey with a lead of over two minutes ahead of the strong U23 Swiss champion Lea Huber (Trek Future Racing) and Seraina Leugger (Bixs Performance Race Team), making history in the process.

It was the last victory for her team JB Brunex Superior Factory Racing at the CIC Swiss Bike Cup, as the team will be disbanding. JB Brunex Superior Factory Racing launched the team's history in 2010 with a victory in the Swiss Bike Cup. Ramona Forchini has now emotionally closed the final chapter of the team.

Seraina Leugger from Arlesheim finished third in the overall standings of the CIC Swiss Bike Cup ahead of Paula Gorycka (Stüby Sting). Gorycka had led the overall classification for a long time during the season, but did not have her best day in Lenzerheide.

UCI Juniors: Alder and Hosner take overall victories

The UCI Junior Series at the CIC Swiss Bike Cup has the status of a Junior World Cup, so the podium was internationally occupied with the reigning European champion Nikolaj Hougs (HMBTK Elite) from Denmark, runner-up Valentin Hofer (Union Maria Schmolln) from Austria and Noel Toth (RC & Bikecenter Steffisburg). Hougs' victory was all the more remarkable as he was slowed down by a technical defect en route. Micha Alder (Bixs Performance Race Team) secured the overall victory in the CIC Swiss Bike Cup classification in sixth place.

Sirin Städler (Thömus Akros Youngstars) won the junior women's race ahead of the Czech Katerina Beyerova (Rouvy Specialized) and Sereina Hosner (Bike Team Solothurn), who once again celebrated the overall victory of the CIC Swiss Bike Cup.

In the U17 category, Swiss champion Marwan Karim Barhoumi (Pédale Bulloise) took the double: he won the day and the overall victory. In the girls' category, Anja Grossmann (Specialized Junior Racing Team Switzerland/RCG) won the day and the overall standings, just like last year. The U17 Swiss champion from Rickenbach LU is regarded as one of the biggest talents in Swiss mountain biking.