Florian Vogel too strong for rivals in Gränichen

Florian Vogel (Scott Swisspower) and Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) won the fourth round of the Racer Bikes Cup in Gränichen on Sunday.

Vogel, Burry Stander (Specialized) and locals Matthias Stirling (Thömus Racing Team) and Balz Weber (BMC) formed a lead group on the first of nine laps, quickly earning a 23-second advantage. On the third lap, Vogel and Stirling were alone at the front after Stander had to stop in a tech zone and fix his saddle. The South African worked hard over the next two laps to make up for the 18 seconds he had lost during the repair.

With three laps to go, Vogel attacked, but the others were able bridge up. He tried again on the second last lap, and it was then that the decision was made and Vogel rode away to victory.

"It is nice to win at my home venue," said Vogel, who will take a break from racing until the next World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne in July.

Stander, who was racing his first-ever Racer Bikes Cup, finished second and enjoyed both the track and the scenery. "It was a tough race. I am satisfied," said Stander. "I will await the next World Cup while I stay in Muttenz. If I can postpone my return flight to South Africa, I'll race next week in Engelberg."

20-year-old Matthew Stirling was able to fully exploit his hometown advantage. "From the beginning, I went at full throttle until I exploded. I finally noticed the hard and fast pace on the last two laps," said Stirnemann, who was delighted with his race.

Although he was fourth, Lukas Flückiger (Trek World Racing) was somewhat satisfied with his race. He had suffered a crash on the first lap and was in 13th position and spen the rest of the race working his way up.

Swiss champion Esther Süss (Wheeler-IXS Pro Team) and Irina Kalentieva did battle at the front of the women's race, Kalentieva coming out on top. Sarah Koba (Giant Swiss SR Suntour) was third and finished ahead of local Katherine Stirling (Central Haibike ProTeam), who won the U23 race. New Zealand's Rebecca Henderson (Crowne Plaza) was fifth.

The junior race counted for qualification of the World Championships in Champéry. Lars Forster (Tower Sports-VC Eschenbach) won ahead of Keegan Swenson (USA National MTB Team) and Dominic Zumstein (Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing).

In the junior women's race, Jolanda Neff (Wheeler IXS Swiss Team) won ahead of Linda Indergand (MTB Kader Zentralschweiz/IG RS Uri) and Andrea Waldis (GU plus/ thomy k/ VC Gersau).

The next Swiss Racer Bikes Cup will happen on Sunday in Engelberg. World Champion Jose Antonio Hermida (Multivan Merida) may be in attendance.

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