Strong Swiss women such as Silvia Fürst, Chantal Daucourt, Barbara Blatter and Petra Henzi brought our nation many top international results. However, there was usually a gap behind them, which at best could only be partially closed. Time and again there were one or more strong juniors who were also able to compete at the top internationally. However, most riders struggled with the transition to the elite category and were unable to close the gap to the front. The gap between the lowest and highest categories was often simply too big. The introduction of the u23 category for women in 2006 brought about a turnaround. Although the riders still had to compete in the highest category in the World Cup, they at least had more tangible goals for the European and World Championships. However, this category is just one piece of the puzzle in the Swiss junior mosaic.

It was only in 2011 that the UCI introduced a separate u23 category in the World Cup for both men and women. This allows young female athletes to develop better without being overtaxed. Of course, it is not only the Swiss women who benefit from this category, foreign riders can also develop further in it. After the junior category, the riders reach a stage where support becomes particularly important. Vocational training is and remains a key issue in this country. More and more apprenticeships tailored to athletes are available from which u23 women and men can benefit equally. Meanwhile, young women are also benefiting from other support measures such as the professional military. Linda Indergand and Jolanda Neff are currently benefiting from employment as regular soldiers. Another factor is the sporting prospects. A number of all-women teams have been established in recent years. The three large teams "Colnago Pro Cycling Team", "Ghost Factory Racing Team" and the "Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro Team" each include at least one Swiss woman. In addition, there is the "Giant Pro XC Team", which also has two successful women under contract with the Polish rider Maya Wloszczowsa and Jolanda Neff. But things are also happening at grassroots level. Andreas Kurmann, Team Manager of the "Strüby BiXS Team", has been putting his heart and soul into promoting young talent for some time now. His efforts have often borne fruit, as the world championship titles of Linda Indergand and Alessandra Keller prove. With his "JB Felt Team", Joe Broder also offers some girls the opportunity to develop their sporting skills. At this point, we can only wish that these two examples will find more imitators.Another important point in terms of support is that the Swiss riders have their own national coach. They can respond better to their needs than if a single coach had to do this for all categories. This means that the u23 women also benefit from better support. What a few racing teams have already demonstrated is also being implemented at Swiss Cycling. With Pascal Seydoux, the women's squad will have a technical coach for the upcoming season and beyond. Although Swiss female mountain bikers are already technically strong, the Swiss Cycling Federation is going one step further to create a solid basis in this area too.Without role models, no imitators. The sport of mountain biking is socially acceptable in Switzerland. More and more mountain bike races are also being shown on television, including those involving women. The current Swiss top performers have become role models for young female mountain bikers. Even though riders like Nino Schurter or Ralph Näf are role models for both genders, it is extremely important that girls can also see their female counterparts and understand that mountain biking is also a sport for women. Riders like Jolanda Neff are important here. Although she still has to compete in the u23 category at international championships, she has already established herself in the elite World Cup. Young female riders can follow her example and see that the path to the top is possible.If the specific support for young female Swiss cross-country riders is continued and refined, their future will be bright. There is already a good chance that the gap to the world's best will be seamlessly closed should Süss and Co. hang up their bikes at some point.