Lillo and Koller Celebrate Their First Elite Swiss Cross-Country Titles
Dario Lillo and Nicole Koller are the new Swiss cross-country champions. Competing as part of the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup in Leysin, both riders prevailed after thrilling final-lap battles to claim their first Swiss championship titles at elite level.
July 19, 2026
The men’s elite race at the Swiss Cross-Country Championships in Leysin was decided only in the final corner. Fabio Püntener and Dario Lillo had led the race from the second lap onwards. Püntener was still in front as they approached the last corner, but Lillo spotted a gap in the closing metres, launched the decisive attack and surged past around 30 metres from the finish line to claim the title. Marcel Guerrini (BIXS Race Team) secured the bronze medal behind Lillo and Püntener. The result further confirms Dario Lillo as one of the breakthrough riders of the season. In May, he celebrated his first World Cup victory in South Korea. “It feels surreal to be Swiss champion – especially in only my second year at elite level,” said Lillo. “As we approached the final corner, I simply thought: now I’m going to take this title. That makes me all the happier that the final attack paid off.”
Koller Turns the Tables on Keller
The women’s elite race also produced a thrilling battle between Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon). Koller successfully responded to two attacks from the newly crowned Swiss Short Track champion before launching the decisive move herself on the final lap. She opened a small gap and held on all the way to the finish to secure her first Swiss elite title. Rebekka Estermann claimed the bronze medal. “It feels amazing to wear the Swiss champion’s jersey,” said an elated Koller. “It was a tough battle with Alessandra. I managed to respond to two of her attacks before making my own decisive move.”
Halter Siblings Double Up in the U23 Category
The Swiss champions in the U23 and U19 categories were the same as in Friday’s Short Track races. Nicolas and Monique Halter (U23), as well as Marwan Karim Barhoumi and Anja Grossmann (U19), each claimed their second Swiss championship title of the weekend. The remaining medals went to Khalid Sidahmed and Micha Alder (U23 Men), Anina Hutter and Elina Benoit (U23 Women), Andri Steinmann and Men Gygax (U19 Men), and Shana Huber and Joline Hunziker (U19 Women). On Saturday, Aubin Favre and Vivien Greuter had already secured the Swiss championship titles in the U17 category.
Following the summer break, the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup will resume in Huttwil on 5–6 September.
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