The proud mountain bike nation of Switzerland experienced a historic defeat at the World Championships in Andorra. But the home World Championships in Valais are coming up next year.
From Wednesday to Sunday, a total of 17 sets of medals were awarded in the elite, U23 and junior categories in the short track, cross-country, downhill and e-mountain bike disciplines at the Pal Arinsal ski resort. From Switzerland's point of view, the yield is meagre: Dario Lillo won silver in the U23 cross-country, Nathalie Schneitter did the same in the e-mountain bike.
Only number 12
In the medal table, Switzerland is in 12th place together with Spain. Since 2005, the Swiss Cycling delegation has always been ranked in the top 3 at the annual title competitions, often number 1.
After the "zero" at the Olympic Games in Paris - the first in 20 years - the Swiss elite cross-country riders once again failed to win a medal. The last time this happened at the World Championships was in Mont Sainte-Anne in Canada in 2010. Just three years ago, Switzerland made up the entire Olympic podium in the women's race in Tokyo with Jolanda Neff, Sina Frei and Linda Indergand and the Olympic silver medallist in the men's race with Mathias Flückiger and the world champion with Nino Schurter.
National coach Telser calls for a reappraisal
In an interview with SRF, national coach Edi Telser was looking for reasons for the low fall in the Pal Arinsal ski station at over 2000 meters above sea level: "We have to accept it, others were faster today. Of course we are disappointed. We will analyze the whole thing calmly to understand the reasons why we weren't quite as fast."
Expectations are naturally high after the great successes in the past, but other nations are also working hard, says Telser. "With a healthy Mathias Flückiger and without Alessandra Keller's crash, we are close to the podium, but that shouldn't be an excuse." Looking to the future, Telser is confident: "We will get back up there. I think we're on the right track."
The South Tyrolean only believes to a limited extent that they will be able to rely on home advantage at the title fights in Valais in a year's time. "The home advantage is not very big, other nations are also allowed to train on the track. But the crowd is certainly on our side, which helps us a lot."
SDA
