Category: Elite
Started: 34
Ranked: 30
Result: 14

1. Irina Kalentyeva (Rus) Topeak-Ergon 1:53.35
2. Sabine Spitz (Ger) Ghost International Racing 1:54.30
3. Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Tonis Pro Cycling Team Kirchberg 1:54.46
4. Rosara Joseph (NZl) 1:57.03
5. Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized 1:58.39
6. Nathalie Schneitter (Sui) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team 1:59.57
7. Nina Göhl (Ger) Multivan-Merida 2:00.22
8. Sarah Koba (Sui) Koba Bike Team 2:00.58
9. Janka Stevkova (Svk) CK MTB Dohany 2:01.58
10. Katrin Leumann (Sui) Goldwurst-power.ch 2:02.23

13. Franziska Röthlin (Sui) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team 2:03.57
14. Sandra Walter (Can) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team 2:05.13
19. Fabienne Niederberger (Sui) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team 2:12.23
30. Daniela Stünzi (Sui) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team -1 lap

It was a beautiful day for a bike race! The sun was shining on the Gurten yesterday, as we raced around the challenging 5km loop with its fun, fast descents and demanding climbs. The course didn’t let up for anyone. I had the best fan club, with 11 cheerers, bell-ringers and flag-wavers on hand. I started strong, getting in with the front of field early and maintaining a good, fast pace. I managed to move up to seventh place and I felt great, especially on the crazy steep grass climb before the wicked drop.

However, as the race wore on, my legs started to lose their edge and my speed began to fade. I lost touch with the top 10 and eventually finished 14th, although I rode the steep, grass climb every time! I’m a little bit disappointed with how I felt in the second half of the race, but I’m happy that I at least had the speed and felt the power at the beginning. I’m very excited for Nathalie, who finished a strong 6th! Congrats! She’s on fire! Also congrats to Franziska, who squeaked by me near the end to finish 13th, Fabienne, who is recovering from her broken wrist and finished 19th, and Daniela who rolled into 30th spot.

Thanks to my fantastic fans: Grossvati, Sepp, Sonya, Sile, Trudi, Daniela W., Beat, Christina, Daniela A., Marlena and Heinz! Thanks also to Ruedi, Michi and Camilla for the pro race support as always, and to the thousands of fans on the Gurten!

Left: The start. Right: Christina and Daniela (behind the flag)

Beat, my biggest little fan!