The men's race was initially characterized by exciting battles for position in a strong group that included French riders Jordan Sarrou (Team BMC), Joshua Dubau (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), Dane Simon Andreassen, Briton Charlie Aldridge (both Cannondale Factory Racing), Italian Juri Zanotti (Team BMC) and local hero Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team).

In the fifth of seven laps, Colombo was just ahead of Andreassen in the lead - and was literally slowed down by a flat tire. He was no longer able to write the wonderful story of a victory in his home race, which he had wanted so much. Colombo nevertheless finished as the best Swiss in 8th place. The co-favorites Lars Forster (Thömus maxon) and Marcel Guerrini (BIXS Performance Race Team) had to cancel the start.

Peu à peu Jordan Sarrou, XCO World Champion 2020, and Joshua Dubau, the world number 5, were then able to break away, with the veteran Sarrou cleverly winning this duel just before the finish. Adrien Boichis (Trinity Racing MTB), just 21 years old, completed the triple triumph for the French. The conclusion of the race on Monte Tamaro: the French are preparing for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot with good legs

The victory in the women's race also went to France. The 32-year-old Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (INEOS Grenadiers) dominated the race with an impressive demonstration of her super form right at the start of the season. Ferrand-Prévot, who is a world leader in all cycling disciplines, ignited the turbo at the start of the third lap, extended her lead to over a minute within one lap and controlled the race from then on. "At first I just rode at the front, but quickly realized that I have super legs. Then I went my own pace," said the confident winner.

The Olympic Games are of course also in her focus, especially as the super biker still has a score to settle here: Ferrand-Prévot finished 8th in the road race in London in 2012 - she knows there is still more to come.

Jolanda Neff on an upward form curve

Behind Ferrand-Prévot's one-woman show, second-placed Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing XC) gave an impressive performance in which her old class flashed again. Neff got off to a good start, but then lost touch with the leading group, which didn't put her off her stride. The 2020 Olympic champion in Tokyo impressed with a lot of morale, fighting spirit and a strong second half of the race with a brilliant chase to catch up.

She was, she said with some relief at the finish, "mega happy" about her performance at the Tamaro Trophy. Neff gave an important confirmation of her rising form curve at the right time. After a mixed season last year, things finally seem to be on the up again for the rider from eastern Switzerland.

Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon), who leads the overall standings of the Swiss Bike Cup after two races, crossed the finish line almost a minute behind Neff. The rider from Nidwalden had given her all, but was unable to hold on to second place behind Ferrand-Prévot on the challenging course. The second world-class Frenchwoman in the race, Loana Lecomte, was nevertheless able to clearly relegate Keller to fourth place.

UCI Junior victories for Alder and Liehner

The UCI Junior Series race, which enjoys the status of a Junior World Cup, was won by Micha Alder from the BIXS Performance Race Team ahead of Frenchman Nicolas Kalanquin (AMSL VTT Levens) and Noel Toth (RC & Bikecenter Steffisburg). Lara Liehner (Thömus Akros - Youngstars) from Zurich won the junior women's race ahead of Giada Martinoli and her teammate Sirin Städler.

There was also plenty of excitement in the U23 race, where Björn Riley from the USA was clearly in the lead until the final lap, but then dropped back to second place with a flat tire. Swiss rider Finn Treudler (CUBE Factory Racing) was able to take advantage of the situation, with Maxime L'Homme from Team BMC in third. Italian Valentina Corvi (Santa Cruz Rockshox Pro Team) won the U23 women's race ahead of Ginia Caluori (Wilier - Vittoria Factory Team XCO) from Graubünden and Sara Cortinovis (Italy).

The CIC Swiss Bike Cup remains in Ticino with its next stop. On April 6/7, the races will be embedded in the Lugano Bike Emotions bike festival. The XCO course, which was redesigned in 2023, offers top technical difficulties and additional key sections.

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