On April 19, the EKZ Cup starts in Schwändi in the canton of Glarus and then moves on to St. Gallen. The second race takes place on May 18 in Gossau-Andwil. After that, the blue start and finish arch will be in Wetzikon on May 31 and in Hittnau on June 21. After a short summer break, the EKZ Cup will enter the decisive phase on August 23 in Eschenbach. After two more stops in Hinwil and Egg on September 30 and September 6, the grand finale will take place in Fischenthal on September 12. This means that the same eight events are on the calendar in 2015 as last season. The concept has proven itself. Around 400 competitors are expected to take part in each event.

Casting for competition newcomers
Mountain bike enthusiasts who have never ridden a race before are now being sought by casting. The EKZ Cup chooses the best rookie of the season at the end of the race series, at the final in Fischenthal. At this casting, former cyclo-cross world champion Andi Büsser and the Tower Sports VC Eschenbach team will select the three most promising candidates. The candidates are accompanied for several weeks and prepared for the all-important race. The rookies document the whole process in a video diary, which is published on Facebook and YouTube. The EKZ Cup magazines on S1 and Tele Top will report on their training. The three will then compete against each other in the final in Fischenthal. Application: Potential candidates explain in a video why they are the perfect rookie candidate and send this by email to rookie@ekzcup.ch. The closing date for entries is May 03, 2015.

Koller wants to defend his title
In the main men's category, Joel Koller from the Tower Sports VC Eschenbach team is the man to beat. The 21-year-old is riding in the EKZ Cup again this year and has announced his intention to defend his title. Joana Schönthal, the reigning overall winner of the women's event, will not be able to defend her title. "I'm completing my training as a bicycle mechanic in the summer and unfortunately have to set my priorities differently," says Schönthal about her withdrawal.

Proven sponsors and new ceremony
While the tried-and-tested race venues will remain the same this year, there are some new features in the supporting program for the EKZ Cup. For the first time in 2015, there will be a flower ceremony directly after the race. The best riders in the women's and overall categories will be honored and awarded there. The fun category will no longer exist this season.

However, the EKZ Cup can continue to rely on tried and tested elements and announce some good news. The contract with the eponymous Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ) as the main sponsor has been extended for another two years. This year, as every year, the focus will be on the youngsters. Thanks to the fourteen different junior categories, even the youngest riders can take part in the EKZ Cup under fair conditions and gain their first biking experience. You can register for the EKZ Cup races online or on site.EKZ Cup calendar 2015

Sunday, April 19, 2015	Schwändi (GL)
Sunday, May 03, 2015	Gossau/Andwil (SG)
Sunday, May 31, 2015	Wetzikon (ZH)
Sunday, June 21, 2015	Hittnau (ZH)
Sunday, August 23, 2015	Eschenbach (SG)
Sunday, August 30, 2015	Hinwil/Girenbad (ZH)
Sunday, September 6, 2015	Egg (ZH)
Saturday, September 12, 2015	Fischenthal (ZH)

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