Wildhaber rides fastest around the brewery
At the first edition of the international Schloss-Cross in Rheinfelden, the grounds of the Feldschlösschen brewery serve as the backdrop for the three-way battle. In the elite race, the battle only broke out in the last of twelve laps. From lap five, however, when Simon Zahner drops out of the leading group, not much happens. The remaining three riders, Bryan Falaschi from Italy, Fabien Doubey from France and Marcel Wildhaber from Switzerland, rode their laps almost harmoniously. Wildhaber was also unable to draw on his full strength from the start, as he had competed in the World Cup in Koksjide, Belgium, the day before. However, he got going better lap after lap and tested his rivals in the third-to-last round in a run passage.
On the last lap, however, it is Doubey who dares to attack. Wildhaber was able to counter, but Falaschi had to abandon the race. Eliminator specialist Wildhaber proves his sprinting qualities in the last 100 meters of the Schloss-Cross and sprints to his first victory of the season - his eleventh elite victory in cyclo-cross. Behind him, nothing changes in the order. Behind fourth-placed Simon Zahner, Severin Sägesser loses the sprint for fifth place to Martin Haring from Slovakia. However, Sägesser shows a great race and finishes ahead of Ralph Näf, Lukas Winterberg and Swiss cross champion Lukas Flückiger.
Leumann football-free in second place
In the women's race, Italy's Elena Valentini takes her second victory in Switzerland. She attacked right at the start and got away, as none of her rivals made any attempt to follow her. Valentini thus rides unchallenged to victory at the Rheinfeld Schloss-Cross. Katrin Leumann took second place, just under a minute behind. She even skips the home game of FC Basel, of which she is a big fan, because of the race.
Nicole Hanselmann crossed the finish line around half a minute behind Leumann in third place.
New talent is a top priority at the Schloss-Cross. In addition to the elite categories up to and including U17, around 90 youngsters will be competing in Rheinfelden. Three of these are kids cross categories. The fourth race is part of the 2014 Pupils' Cup and includes a race and a skills course.
Ranking lists Schloss-Cross RheinfeldenNote: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.