The Swiss Nino Schurter is the reigning cross-country world champion. The 2016 Olympic champion is now wearing the coveted rainbow jersey for the ninth time. His compatriot Ralph Näf has been a successful team manager for five years (Mathias Flückiger from Bern rode to Olympic silver in his team) and has been crowned world, European and Swiss champion in his career as a professional biker. The two are now using their combined expertise to set up their own cross-country racing series in their home country.
The series comprises three events in the premiere year 2022. In the future, the calendar is set to grow to four to six races. The series is called "ÖKK Bike Revolution" and should not only attract professionals, but also give amateur athletes and young talents the opportunity to compete against high-calibre competitors on home soil. Various categories should ensure fair cross-country races with a high excitement and fun factor for all participants. In addition to the MTB showcase country of Switzerland, which has been organised since 1994, the Swiss Bike Cup another platform for cross-country racing.
The special thing about the new race series: in addition to the races, there are also tours for hobby bikers on the programme. Those interested can discover the respective region geographically and culinarily on a bike. "Hardly any of the mountain bikes we sell in the shop ever take part in a race. But the vast majority are used for tours with friends. This is exactly where we come in and set new standards for bike events," says co-initiator René Walker.
The ÖKK Bike Revolution race series starts with the event on Monte Tamaro, from 25 to 27 March The second destination is Chur as a city event from 2022. 22 to 24 April. The final takes place in Huttwil, the home town of the Flückiger brothers, from the 23 to 25 September instead.
