Showdown in Savognin — Who will get the cross-country and short track champion jerseys?
From July 4 to 6, the Swiss Championships in Cross-Country (XCO) and Short Track (XCC) will take place in Savognin (GR). The title races promise top-level mountain biking in the Val Surses – with exciting competitions and an open field in both the women's and men's categories.
June 26, 2025
Short track on Friday, Olympic distance on Saturday
The event kicks off on Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. with the fast-paced Short Track races. For the first time, an official XCC Swiss Champion title will be awarded in the U23 categories.On Saturday, the decisions over the Olympic distance will follow. In total, eleven official Swiss Champion titles as well as the U17 Swiss Champion will be awarded over the course of the weekend – with exciting races and an open field in both the women's and men's competitions.
Strong competition for women — Koller and Forchini in top form
Among the elite women, Nicole Koller (Ghost Factory Racing) is one of the top contenders for the title. The 28-year-old from Zurich already secured the XCC Swiss Champion title in 2024 and has since impressed with consistently strong performances in the World Cup — including a podium finish in the XCO race in Araxá (BRA).
Ramona Forchini (BIXS Performance Race Team) is also in outstanding form. The 31-year-old from Toggenburg claimed a World Cup podium with third place in Leogang in 2025 and has delivered further successes in HC and C1 races — including a win at the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup in Schaan. She’s no stranger to the podium in Savognin either: she won there back in 2022.
“Savognin is beautiful and offers a fantastic, physically demanding course — exactly what I like. There’s no holding back or tactical riding for long; it’s full gas from the start. In the end, the strongest rider comes out on top. If you’ve got good legs, you can really go all in here. My win in Savognin the last time I raced there was a great experience. Going back brings back positive emotions — that’s awesome.”
With Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon), Olympic Champion Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing), Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing Team), and defending XCO champion Linda Indergand (Liv Factory Racing) also on the start line, a top-class field is set to deliver a fast-paced and thrilling race.
Challengers and heroes: The elite men before the showdown in Savognin
Among the elite men, the race is wide open. Switzerland’s depth of world-class talent is truly impressive — at the World Cup in Val di Sole, five Swiss riders once again finished in the top 10!
Young athletes like Fabio Püntener (25, Bike Team Solothurn) and Luca Schätti (25, BIXS Performance Race Team) are turning heads with strong international performances. Meanwhile, seasoned pros such as Mathias Flückiger (36, Thömus Maxon), Nino Schurter (39, Scott-SRAM), and Filippo Colombo (27, Scott-SRAM) have recently had to give way to the rising stars more often than before.
However, it would be a mistake to count the veterans out. To win a title in Savognin, one thing is certain: you'll need a perfect day.
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Experience Sina Frei
Win, discover, be inspired
Our brand ambassador won't just be on the race track — you'll also find her on-site on Saturday, July 5, 2025, between 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. at the Škoda Explore Corner. Stop by for tips and inspiration — and with a bit of luck, you could win an exclusive bike tour with Sina Frei.
Want more personal insights on the topic of optimism? Don’t miss episode 1 of “Bicycle Traces by Sina Frei” — available now.