BTSO heating up Chur

With the race in Chur, the first round of the Ökk Bike Revolution took place last weekend. The race offers a spectacular backdrop. Sharp curves through the old town of Chur, up through the vineyards above the city, and into the forest. Like last year, the race had HC status and was accordingly filled with top male and female riders.

For Fiona, it was her first real fitness test after an injury-related break she sustained earlier in the season at the Tamaro Trophy. The track, with all its elevation gain, was certainly well suited to her. Quickly, she secured a top position after the start and in the end, she was only narrowly beaten by Monique Halter and Elina Benoit. With the third place, Fiona is definitely back in action.

Shortly after, the guys lined up at the start. With perfect conditions, a fast race was on the cards. With local favorite Nino Schurter and World Cup winners like Lars Forster and Math Flückiger, there were also some locomotives at the start who could stamp their mark on the race. But things turned out differently. After a spectacular attack already at the end of the first lap, Luca Schätti broke away with Nino Schurter and Thomas Litscher from the rest of the riders. Just behind them, Fabio and Nick found shelter in the chasing group. Shortly after, Litscher had to let the two go, and after Nino suffered a flat tire in lap 6, Luca suddenly found himself alone at the front of the race. "To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed with the situation, leading the race all alone," said Luca after the race. However, he managed his strength very well and was only caught by Lars Forster in the last of 9 laps. In the sprint finale, however, he had to settle for second place. Hats off, Luca!

Only about 30 seconds behind, Fabio fought his way to third place with an incredibly consistent race, so two riders from the Bike Team Solothurn stood on the podium of the HC race in Chur. Nick also fought just behind until the last lap for fourth and fifth place. However, Thomas Litscher, who really turned up the pace in the last 2 laps, caught him in the final climb and pushed him back to sixth place.

An incredibly good weekend for us in Chur. We are looking forward to the next races. And they are coming soon:

12.5 European Championships Romania (Luca Schätti)

19.5 Ötztal MTB Festival Haiming (Nick Burki, Fiona Schibler)

26.5 World Cup Nove Mesto