"This is real mountain biking!" enthused a mud-splattered nine-year-old at the finish line. Not everyone shared his enthusiasm, but the smiling faces prevailed, no matter how thick the layer of dirt was. The Egg Ski Club had done a great job in providing an attractive course for over 400 riders and giving the final race of the 2019 EKZ Cup a worthy finish.

The crowd favorites

As always, the cheers got louder the younger the riders were on the track. The youngest were even allowed to pass the marquee on their lap. But the smallest bikes in particular showed mercilessly why ever larger wheels and thicker tires have prevailed in recent years. Many "Pfüderi" had no choice but to push their bikes through the deep mud, some stoically, others with obvious displeasure. But they all made it to the finish line, the sweet sports drink and the congratulations from mommy and daddy made up for the hard work and on top of that, everyone was allowed to choose something from the gift table afterwards.

It should be added that right down to the youngest categories, many children stood out with their excellent bike control, whether on the jump ramp just before the finish or in one of the many slippery bends.
As soon as the last toddler had crossed the finish line, the grown-ups took to the track. Here the experience with deep ground and slippery bends was many times greater, for many it was just one more rain race in their long bike vita. And so they rode their race as they tackle every one: Determined to give it their all over the next hour and a half and enjoy the friendly measuring with their fellow bikers.

Wildhaber's last chance

For a few, the last race was still about overall victory. And one of them wanted it at all costs: Marcel Wildhaber. He had already decided that the EKZ Cup in Egg would be his last mountain bike race as an elite rider. And this overall victory was still missing from his palmarès. He had to keep Sven Olivetti, the only one who could have overtaken him, at bay. Galgener managed this well until the last lap. Only then was Olivetti able to launch the decisive attack and overtake Wildhaber.

However, someone else rode to the finish line first: Luca Schätti had the best legs on this cold and wet day. "Marcel Wildhaber tried to make the race fast, but I noticed that he was suffering. When I upped the pace on the second lap, I opened up a hole and was able to ride home to victory at my own pace." Third place on the day was enough for Wildhaber to win the overall standings. And at the finish, nobody was beaming as much as the veteran: "I didn't have good legs today and I thought a few times on the way: It's good that it's over now."The strongest woman of the season was Daniela Wäfler, who was unable to follow Annika Liehner in this final race, but still managed to score the final points she needed. "I only had to finish to secure the overall victory. But it was really tough in this weather. After an exhausting season in which I wasn't able to train so much, it's all the better to take the overall victory."

The run of success continues

For the first time, a team ranking was also held at the EKZ Cup. This was won by the Aegeri Bike Club in superior style. The team from Zug won the team classification in each of the six races. Schwändi, Wetzikon, Hittnau, Eschenbach, Uster and Egg will also be the venues for the EKZ Cup in 2020. OC boss Heiri Disch sums up: "It was a successful season, the kids came, the fields were big. We will continue with this concept next season." Egg has shown one thing: Whatever the weather will be like then, the mountain bikers will be ready.

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