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Switzerland still has no mountain bike medals at the Olympics. The goal now is a podium position at the World Cup.
After the defeat in Paris, which saw the Swiss team leave without a mountain bike medal for the first time since 2004, there should be celebrations again at the world championships in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. Both the women and men have legitimate podium hopes.
Nino Schurter was the symbol of the Swiss performance in Paris. The veteran couldn’t hold back his tears after the race, which ended in ninth place. Also because it was his last time competing in the Olympics. Afterwards, he first gave himself a holiday: “I took a week off and didn’t train.”
Then he starts preparing again, after all he now has something to make up for. He is looking forward to the race in Pal Arinsal: “It’s a technically demanding route. But also a natural one – basically a mountain bike like before.”
The altitude in Andorra is also special. The race is at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. No problem for Schulte: “In the past few years, I have always been able to cope with the altitude.”
In addition to the Graubünden veteran, Filippo Colombo and perhaps Mathias Flückiger also have a chance to win a medal in the men’s team event. After appendix surgery, the Bernese will decide whether to start in a short time.
Ace Lots
Alessandra Keller and Sina Frei’s race in Paris also did not go as planned: flaws, technical problems and no medals. Nevertheless, they started in good spirits. “I have a good relationship with Andorra,” Keller explained.
“I have my strategy, I know how to win the race,” she continued. Focusing on herself is also Frey’s strategy. She can’t influence other people’s behavior anyway. But she just wants to drive a perfect race for herself.
What is enough will become clear on Sunday afternoon. Another “big” race without a Swiss medal – but that seems hard to imagine.
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