Schurter wins Gränichen round of Swiss Cup

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As they prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games, Nino Schurter (Scott Swisspower) and Esther Süss (Wheeler-IXS Pro Team) won the latest round of the Swiss Cup in Gränichen on Sunday.

Approximately 700 athletes from 21 nations competed on a beautiful summer day. The racers were full of praise for the course, which was peppered with lots of singletrack.

The field was worthy of a World Cup and was missing only the following male riders from the top 10 rankings: Julien Absalon (Orbea) and Jaroslav Kulhavy (Specialized).

In the men's race, a lead group formed after the second lap consisting of eight total racers. It included Schurter, Swiss champion Florian Vogel (Scott Swisspower),  Italian champion Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale) and Manuel Fumic (Cannondale).

Vogel stayed in contact for half of the race before dropping back and eventually finishing fifth. "I wanted to do a top three in my home race, but this world class field did not tolerate weakness," said Vogel.

On lap six, Fumic lost contact with Schurter and Fontana. "The race was very hard, but it was a great race in an attractive place and with a beautiful course," said Fumic, who finished second.

With approximately one and a half laps to go, the decision was made. Fontana suffered a flat tire, and so Schurter rode to his third victory this year in the Swiss BMC Racing Cup.

"I benefited a bit from the misfortune of Marco," said Schurter. "I think otherwise it would have been a tough final."

In the overall standings, Schurter leads. European champion Milatz Moritz (BMC) suffered a setback in the standings after finishing 11th.

The best U23 rider Matthias Stirnemann (Thömus Racing Team) was 14th. He finished ahead of Reto Indergand (BMC) and Yesid Chia Amaya (Colombian National Team).

Women

Esther Süss became Swiss champion on this course two years ago and was second last year here, and this year she was back to take a "home win".

She led from the start and won the race by 22 seconds over Katrin Leumann (Ghost Factory Racing Team)

"It's great to win in the home setting and I'd like to thank the organizers for their great work with this victory," said Süss.

Leumann was second giving the Swiss Olympic team the top two spots. Swedish National Champion Alexandra Engen (Ghost Factory Racing Team)  was third ahead of Sabine Spitz (Sabine Spitz Haibike) in fourth.

The best U23 rider was Annie Last (Milka-Brentjens).

Other categories

In the junior women's race, Andrea Waldis (VC Gersau / Colnago) won again. Andri Frischknecht (Scott Swisspower) was victorious in the junior men's race while Florian Chenaux (VC Fribourg/ Cycles Pache) won the amateurs and masters race.

Full Results