Scott Swisspower goes one-two with Schurter, Vogel

Swiss riders, Nino Schurter (Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing) and Esther Süss, took victories in both the men's and women's races at the Racer Bikes Cup round in Plaffeien.

It was the first Swiss victory in a Racer Bikes Cup men's cross country round yet in 2010. Schurter was pitted against teammate Florian Vogel and Trek World Racing's Lukas Flückiger, who were second and third respectively.

On lap two, Schurter, Jean-Christophe Peraud (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Flückiger and the young Matthias Rupp were off the front. Vogel, who was not with those favorites, then started his comeback. First the Swiss Champion caught Rupp, then the others and he came within seven seconds of Schurter at the finish.

"I wanted to win," said Vogel at the awards ceremony though he had to content himself with second.

"The singletrack, climbs and technical descents were good for me," said winner Schurter.

In the women's race, Esther Süss (Wheeler-IXS Pro Team) showed she is still in top form. She went for it early in the race, on the first rise of the Hapferenwald.

"I relished the long climbs - only the wind was a little annoying," said Süss, who finished ahead of Kathrin Leumann (goldwurst-power / Sputnik) and Petra Henzi (Fischer-BMC). The three will do battle again at the Swiss Marathon National Championships next weekend in Mendrisio.

Scott-Swisspower's Rupp won the Under 23 race ahead of Giancarlo Sax (Thömus Racing Team) and Olof Jonsson (O2 Orbea).

Jolanda Neff (ewz-Giant MTB-Team) won the junior women's race ahead of Linda Indergand (FRM TG Zentralschweiz/IG-RS Uri) and Vania Schumacher (Merida Suisse Team).

Stefan Peter (FRM TG Zentralschweiz) topped the junior men's field with Janos Ruch (Fischer Junior MTB Team) in second and Kevin Krieg (PBR-Matic Swiss MTB Team) in third.

Full Results