45th GP Osterhas – Cycling Highlight on Easter Saturday with Alessandra Keller
On Easter Saturday, Affoltern am Albis will once again become the center of cycling: the GP Osterhas promises top-level competition and exciting races in its 45th edition. Among the participants are Short Track World Champion Alessandra Keller, Scratch European Champion Alex Vogel, and last year’s winner Dario Rapps.
March 31, 2026
German rider Dario Rapps will line up as the defending champion, once again racing with his team RSC AUTO BROSCH Kempten. Strong competition from Switzerland is also guaranteed: the team Q36.5-Amacx will field, among others, local favorite Cedric Graf and last year’s U23 winner Aaron Imhof. The squad is completed by Alex Vogel, Scratch European Champion and silver medalist in the 2026 European Track Four. Another rider from the Säuliamt region, Elia Felsberger, will also be at the start. He leads the VC Mendrisio team and is considered a contender for a top finish at the GP Osterhas.
Short Track and Cape Epic Champion Alessandra Keller at GP Osterhas
In 2026, mountain biking sensation Alessandra Keller will once again take the start. The Nidwalden native won the prestigious Cape Epic in mid-March 2026, an eight-day mountain bike stage race in South Africa. She also claimed the Short Track World Championship in 2025, making her one of the most versatile athletes in cycling. By participating in the GP Osterhas, Keller uses the race as a benchmark ahead of the upcoming MTB World Cup events.
Teams Spar Cycling Team Ost (CTO) and the UCI Continental Team Nexetis are also aiming for the win. Lea Fuchs has already celebrated an international victory with her East Swiss team in Leonding (AUT). Nexetis is led by Annika Liehner, a former mountain bike specialist and current track national team rider.
"I still benefit greatly from my mountain bike experience. The technical skills gained from MTB give me confidence in the peloton during road races. At the same time, I’ve learned a lot from criterium racing, especially regarding tactics and sprinting. The GP Osterhas offers ideal conditions for this. I recommend that young riders try out different disciplines early on." – Annika Liehner
In the women’s FB category, Shana Huber from RRC Amt aims to shine once again. The Aargau rider won the junior category (U19) last year and is once again among the athletes to watch.
The GP Osterhas will take place for the second time in 2026 as part of the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup, with over 360 participants already registered for the races.