Linda Indergand (Liv Cycling) and Aline Seitz (RC Gränichen) battled it out in a thrilling duel at the 44th GP Osterhas, which was held for the first time as part of the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup. Track specialist Seitz led by two points before the final of the 50 laps, with Indergand needing to win the decisive last sprint. However, the 28-year-old Seitz crossed the finish line first and won with 57 points ahead of Mountain Bike World Cup riders Indergand (51 points) and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxus, 29 points).

"It was a very intense race. I focused on the big point sprints, and that worked out well for me," Seitz said after the awards ceremony. "My experience from the track certainly helped me."
Indergand was also satisfied with her performance: "It was fun racing against such strong opponents. I wanted to win the final sprint, but Aline had the better legs."

Shana Huber wins in the Junior Women’s Category

In the junior women’s category (U17–U19), Shana Huber (RRC Amt) dominated with 19 points, winning ahead of Selina Witzig (VC Diessenhofen, 3 points) and Camilla Fumagalli (Free Time Women Team, 1 point).

Rapps dominates the Elite Men’s Race

The elite men’s criterium was dominated by Dario Rapps (RSC Auto Brosch Kempten). The German broke away from the field after one-third of the 100 laps. Only Aaron Imhof (Spar CTO Men) and Leandro Schleuniger (RC Gränichen), both competing in the U23 category, were able to keep up with him. Rapps' triumph was thus virtually secured early on.

The elite podium was completed by Germans Jonas Schmeiser (RSC Auto Brosch Kempten, 45 points) and Jan Münzer (Team Storck, 37 points).
In the U23 category, Imhof won with 86 points, ahead of Schleuniger (58 points) and Alessio Bragagna (Spar CTO Men, 14 points).

Rinner wins the U19 final

A thrilling finish took place in the U19 men’s race. Jonathan Rinner (VC Lugano) and Gaspard Douté (La Steigeoise, FR) crossed the final stretch with equal points. In a dramatic final sprint, Rinner narrowly came out on top. Marco Weilenmann (VC Brüttisellen) completed the podium.

Barhoumi wins the U17 race – Huber shines in the U15

The U17 criterium was won by Marwan Karim Barhoumi (Pédale Bulloise), who triumphed ahead of Yanis Berthoud (Humard VP) and Nick Ulrich (Trek Manna SG Rheinfelden).

Lina Huber (RRC Amt) achieved a notable result in the mixed U15 category, finishing a strong third behind Diego Imhof (Road Cycling Academy) and Nick Altstätter (RV Ehrendingen).

Next stop: Schaan (FL)

On the weekend of May 10-11, the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup will stop in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The course in Duxwald in Schaan is known for its high proportion of challenging root sections and offers a varied terrain for exciting mountain bike races.

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