The superior winner of the CIC Swiss Bike Cup in Lugano comes from France: The favorite Thomas Griot (29) clearly outstripped Swiss Marcel Guerrini (2nd) and Fabio Püntener (3rd). During his second start at the CIC Swiss Bike Cup within two weeks, Griot from Team CANYON CLLCTV XCO was able to prove his good form. On Monte Tamaro (12th), he was still struggling with himself due to a decisive mistake.

Griot made a decisive attack halfway through the race in Lugano, as the extremely active driving style of Timon Rüegg from the BIXS Performance Race Team left him no choice. Rüegg (4th) was unable to keep up as a result, and the courage of Thomas Litscher (Lapierre-Mavic Unity XC Team), who wanted to follow Griot, did not pay off either. Litscher lost his strength and finished eighth.

That paved the way for Griot. “It was tough to drive all alone at the front on this tactical track with the short climbs and descents. I had cramps in between and just tried to get to the finish line,” said the Frenchman after the race, who can now concentrate on the upcoming World Cups with a track record.

Strong performance from Guerrini and Püntener

Marcel Guerrini (BIXS Performance Race Team) from Lucerne left a very good impression in second place. For him, it was the first serious assessment of the season and also the last test before his first World Cup start. “I'm very satisfied with my performance,” says Guerrini, who packed his bags with great confidence right after the race to fly to Brazil.

Fabio Püntener (24) from Bike Team Solothurn also impressed in third place and took the lead in the overall standings. The man from Uri has had to deal with injuries again and again, but is one of the determined riders who have already competed in the U15 category at the Swiss Bike Cup.

Paula Gorycka: Day victory and lead in the overall standings

For women, the victory went to Polish champion Paula Gorycka from the Wllisauer team Strüby Sting, who had finished 5th at the Sunshine Race in Nals (South Tyrol) the day before. The experienced, 33-year-old Polish woman, a well-known face in the Swiss racing scene, not only achieved her first victory at the CIC Swiss Bike Cup with a start-finish victory, but is now also leading the overall standings.

Swiss athletes were able to secure the other podium finishes. Neuchâtel U23 rider Elina Benoit crossed the finish line 18 seconds behind, Seraina Leugger (BIXS Performance Race Team) finished third 39 seconds behind the winner and moved up to second place in the overall standings.

Alder and Hosner win the junior races

In the junior races, Micha Alder from the BIXS Performance Race Team, who had spontaneously decided to participate, secured victory. The track in Lugano demanded a lot from the young rider: “The level in the race was high and the tough, tactical track was demanding.”

The 18-year-old from Altstätten SG was delighted with a particularly successful weekend, having finished the Sunshine Race in Nals in seventh place the day before. Micha Alder, second in the CIC Swiss Bike Cup opener in Gränichen and winner of the Tamaro Trophy two weeks ago, is thus also confidently leading the overall CIC Swiss Bike Cup junior standings. Noel Toth (2nd) from RC & Bike Center Steffisburg and Lewin Iten (3rd) from Winterthur team RVW Pasolino Racing completed the junior podium.

Among junior women, Sereina Hosner from Bike Team Solothurn took a superior victory ahead of Timea Reichmuth (Team Gadola Wetzikon), who is leading the current overall standings, and Selina Vonmoos from VC Sursee,

Next stop: Leysin VD

The next CIC Swiss Bike Cup station is in Leysin from June 8 to 9. The races are held on a technical cross-country track with many short ascents and descents, which provide plenty of action.

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