Florian Vogel (Scott Swisspower) defended his Swiss national title. (Image credit: Scott-Swisspower MTB-Racing)
For many racers, the final round of the Swiss Racer Bikes Cup will give racers one last chance to test their legs before the World Championships. The race, run in Muttenz, will pass through the Bike Arena Schänzli, where organizers are hoping to host a large crowd of spectators.
Swiss national champion Florian Vogel, Nino Schurter and the Flückiger brothers are the favorites expected for the men's race. In the women's race, Swiss champion Kathrin Leumann, Under 23 Swiss champion Nathalie Schneitter, Italian Eva Lechner and the Austrian Osl sisters are expected to contest the race.
Elite racers will get a chance to race on the eve of the cross country race in a sprint-type race, a 20-minute fat tire criterium.
In Sunday's cross country action, Vogel will be out to defend his elite men's series lead, now at 80 points over Lukas Flückiger. Martin Fanger sits just eight points further back. The under 23 series winner will emerge from the trio of Martin Fanger, Jeremy Huegenin and Patrick Gallati.
Kathrin Leumann sits comfortably in the women's series lead, 60 points ahead of Petra Henzi, who will likely be racing marathon worlds instead. Marielle Saner is third, 100 points back.
Lukas Loretz, Reto Indergand, Matthias Stirnemann and Roger Walder are all within 20 points of each other in the junior men's series. Each racer could win the overall with a good day on Sunday.
Michelle Hediger has dominated the junior women's series with five wins, and she sits 60 points ahead of Lisa Mitterbauer.
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Category Amateur / Masters: Here is the big question is whether
In the amateurs and masters category, Matthias Rupp will be on track to collect an eighth victory. He sits 80 points ahead of last year's Swiss junior national champion Mirco Widmer.
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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
