The weather has been the friend of mountain bikers who love sliding in the mud in recent weeks. The second EKZ Cup race of the season was not without spinning and sideways moving tires. Too much moisture was stored in the forest floor. But on the dirt tracks, which make the course in Wetzikon the fastest in the series, the dust was flying again and the athletes enjoyed not having to look for the next heated place immediately after crossing the finish line.

Large field of participants

Over a hundred young and somewhat experienced mountain bikers only registered for the race on Sunday morning. They probably waited until it became clear that it would actually stay dry. The result was a proud field of 400 participants, most of them young mountain bikers. In perfect conditions, the junior categories from the Pfüderi under seven to the Hard U17 category rode their laps around and through the farm on the Meierwiesen near Wetzikon. Even those who were obviously riding for victory could be seen enjoying the sport of mountain biking. The fact that there were not only smiling faces but also tears at the finish line is part of it - that's what makes sport a school of life.

When the elite started, it even got really summery. This made it all the more difficult to choose the tires that rolled optimally on the dry dirt roads and still offered enough grip in the forest. Konny Looser solved the dilemma in his own way: "I mostly ran the slippery climb, so the bike picked up less dirt and the gears went in cleanly right to the end."

A rematch and a farewell

Tina Züger pulled away from her competitors right after the start, despite heavy legs from the hard training of the last few weeks. When her father called out to her that she had a one-minute lead, she could have slowed down a little and managed her lead. But she didn't: "A race like this also has a training purpose, so I went all the way." She finished well over a minute ahead of the runner-up, Annika Liehner.

It was clear from the start list that the men's race would be a tight affair. Simon Zahner, Konny Looser and Marcel Wildhaber have raced shoulder to shoulder countless times and each knows the strengths and weaknesses of the others. Lap after lap, the three of them - with Patrick Tresch on their rear wheels for a long time - roared along the track, trailing a cloud of dust behind them. Simon Zahner was the first to turn into the finish area, where wooden ramps, a steep bend and a jump made for a spectacle and tight spaces. Marathon specialist Looser proved his fourcross qualities and snaked past Zahner on the inside of the last steep bend. "Last year I lost to Simon Zahner here in the final meters. Now I've finally won this race," he said happily at the finish. Simon Zahner added: "I wouldn't have thought that you could still overtake at this point - you never stop learning."

The EKZ Cup in Wetzikon was a special occasion for OC President Ernst Jucker. He chaired the event for the last time and at the same time introduced his successor to his role. "It's time to let the youngsters take over, I've retired in the meantime," he noted and was delighted with the successful last event: "Lots of participants, perfect weather, only positive reactions, it couldn't have gone better." The EKZ Cup 2019 has picked up speed. The next stop is Hittnau on June 23.

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