XCO Swiss Championships Gränichen
Like last year, the MTB XCO Swiss Championships took place in Gränichen. The organizer spontaneously took over the actually planned venue for our race. Unfortunately Montesvelier had to cancel the race.
I really like the track in the gravel pit in Gränichen and I was looking forward to my first Elite XCO Swiss Championship.
With hot temperatures we started at 14:45 o’clock on seven dusty and hard laps. I had a great start and after the first corners I was in the top-10 and among the favourites for the Swiss championship title.
After my race in Leukerbad, the necessary self-confidence was missing to hold on to this position. I didn’t want to run out of energy after only three laps. So I decided to ride a bit more defensively, which caused me to lose some positions.
With regular lap times and with exciting battles against other riders my feeling got better and better and in the end I reached the 18th place in a very strong elite field. The breakthrough was still missing, but with the top-20 result at my first Elite Swiss Championship I’m satisfied and I can definitely build on that. The race also showed me that my form is good.
I'm happy with my top-20 result and I can build on that for my next races.
The power and body tension was finally back! Now I just need the necessary self-confidence to fight for better positions.
The next Swiss Cup race will take place in four weeks in Gstaad. In two weeks I will also take part in the E-MTB Challenge at the Verbier Bike Festival. I’m looking forward to finally racing an e-bike again and also that I can compete the second race in Gstaad this season after the Snow Bike Festival in January.
//Joris
