Tactical success - Keller and Litscher sprint to the championship title

Litscher und Keller: Die frischgebackenen Schweizer Short-Track-Meister.

Photo: Armin Küstenbrück / Ego Promotion

Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon) and Thomas Litscher (Lapierre Mavic Unity) won the XCC (Short Track) titles at the start of the Swiss Mountain Bike Championships from June 2-4, 2023 in Crans-Montana. The championships are integrated into the 30th CIC ON Swiss Bike Cup and are the highlight of the season for the national elite.

The first title of the day went to the clear favorite Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon). The 27-year-old from Nidwalden once again proved her class and consistency and was particularly pleased to win her first XCC title. She relegated 22-year-old Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing) from eastern Switzerland, the reigning European champion, and 25-year-old medical student Steffi Häberlin (Team BMC) to the other places.

The six-lap race in sunshine and good conditions was very tactical for a group of five. The riders who shaped the race included Seraina Leugger (Bixs Performance Race Team) in fourth and Linda Indergand (Liv Factory Racing) in fifth.

Thomas Litscher with tactical finesse

The entire men's race over seven exciting laps was also strongly tactical, open for a long time and highly competitive. A clever move by Thomas Litscher only decided the title fight in the last round. Litscher energetically took the lead at the very end, knowing that there would be no more opportunity for a sprint to the finish line.

Lars Forster (30) from Thömus Maxon came second, with a cyclo-cross specialist, 27-year-old Timon Rüegg (Cross Team Legendre), in third. Vital Albin (Thömus Maxon), the overall leader in the CIC ON Swiss Bike Cup, who played an active role in the race and was only narrowly beaten into fourth place, was disappointed.

Alessandra Keller as the big favorite

The favorite in the women's race is overall World Cup winner Alessandra Keller, who has shown impressive consistency. "Another Swiss championship title would be brilliant. Wearing the jersey with the Swiss cross always makes me proud," says Alessandra Keller about her motivation. "I'm excited to see what the course has to offer. The Swiss Championships on the future world championship course is an ideal warm-up and familiarization with the conditions."

Olympic champion Jolanda Neff has won seven of the last ten XCO titles. She also won last year's short track title in Lugano. Even if the Thaler is still looking for her top form, she is always a force to be reckoned with at title fights. Linda Indergand (Liv Factory), the Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo 2021 and overall leader in the CIC ON Swiss Bike Cup, and Nicole Koller (Ghost) are also among the extended favourites.

Full results

Around 600 riders - 11 titles in total

Around 600 mountain bikers are expected to attend the big bike festival in Crans Montana. The races in the junior and fun categories count towards the overall classification of the CIC ON Swiss Bike Cup. Medals and titles will be awarded in a total of eleven categories.

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