The men's race was initially characterized by exciting position battles between a strong group, including Frenchman Jordan Sarrou (Team BMC), Joshua Dubau (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), Dane Simon Andreassen, Briton Charlie Aldridge (both Cannondale Factory Racing), Italian Juri Zanotti (Team BMC) or local hero Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB) B Racing Team).

In the fifth of seven laps, Colombo was just ahead of Andreassen in the lead - and was literally slowed down by a flat tire. He could no longer write the wonderful story of a victory at his home race, which he had wanted so much. Colombo nevertheless crossed the finish line as the best Swiss in 8th place. The co-favorites Lars Forster (Thömus maxon) and Marcel Guerrini (BIXS Performance Race Team) had to cancel the start.

Jordan Sarrou, XCO World Champion 2020, and Joshua Dubau, world number 5, were then able to break away bit by bit, with experienced Sarrou cleverly winning this duel just before the finish line. Only 21-year-old Adrien Boichis (Trinity Racing MTB) completed the French triple victory. The conclusion of the race on Monte Tamaro: The French are preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot with good legs

The women's victory also went to France. 32-year-old Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (INEOS Grenadiers) outshone the race with an impressive demonstration of her super form right from the start of the season. Ferrand-Prévot, who is world leader in all cycling disciplines, ignited the turbo at the start of the third round, extended her lead to over a minute within one lap and controlled the race from then on. “I only drove at the front at first, but I quickly realized that I have super legs. Then I set my own pace,” said the confident winner.

Of course, her focus is also on the Olympic Games, especially as the superbiker still has an open mind here: Ferrand-Prévot finished 8th in the road race in London in 2012 — she knows that there is still more to go.

Jolanda Neff with increasing shape curve

Behind Ferrand-Prévot's one-woman show, runner-up Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing XC) gave an impressive performance in which her old class flashed again. Neff had made a good start, but then lost touch with the top group, which didn't upset her. The Olympic champion from 2020 in Tokyo impressed with lots of morale, fighting spirit and a strong second half of the race with brilliant catch-up.

With a certain relief at the finish line, she said she was “super happy” about her performance at the Tamaro Trophy. At the right time, Neff gave important confirmation of her rising shape curve. After a mixed season last year, things finally seem to be looking up again for the Eastern Swiss woman.

With almost a minute behind Neff, Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon), who is leading the overall standings of the Swiss Bike Cup after two races, came home fought off. The woman from Nidwald had given everything but was unable to maintain second place behind Ferrand-Prévot on the challenging track in the meantime. The second world-class Frenchwoman in the race, Loana Lecomte, was nevertheless able to clearly point Keller to fourth place.

UCI juniors victories for Alder and Liehner

Micha Alder from the BIXS Performance Race Team won the UCI Junior Series race, which is rated as a Junior World Cup, ahead of Frenchman Nicolas Kalanquin (AMSL VTT Levens) and Noel Toth (RC & Bikecenter Steffisburg). In the junior women, Zurich Lara Liehner (Thömus Akros — Youngstars) won confidently ahead of Giada Martinoli and her teammate Sirin Städler.

There was also great excitement in the U-23 race, where Björn Riley from the USA clearly led to the final round, then dropped back to second place with a flat tire. Swiss Finn Treudler (CUBE Factory Racing) was able to exploit the situation, while Maxime L'Homme from Team BMC came third. In the U23 women, Italian Valentina Corvi (Santa Cruz Rockshox Pro Team) won ahead of Grisons Ginia Caluori (Wilier — Vittoria Factory Team XCO) and Sara Cortinovis (Italy).

The CIC Swiss Bike Cup will remain in Tessin even with its next stop. On 6/7 April, the races are embedded in the Lugano Bike Emotions bike festival. The new XCO route, which was redesigned in 2023, offers maximum technical difficulties and additional key points.

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