Extensive range of Swiss mountain bike racing series.
If you have a choice, you're spoilt for choice. This is especially true for mountain bikers. In addition to the large and well-known Swisspower Cup and iXS swiss bike classic racing series, which regularly have an international field of participants, there are around a dozen regional cross-country racing series. For those who prefer a more technical approach, the iXS Downhillcup and Zermatt 4-Cross Cup competitions await. The regional racing series offer a good starting point for kids and ambitious hobby bikers. Without having to cover hundreds of kilometres by car first, the races in the region offer a soft introduction to the racing scene. For all those who don't want to be shown off by the "pitted" riders in the peloton the first time round.
Swisspower Cup
The Swisspower Cup, held for the 15th time in 2008, is the Formula 1 of the local racing scene. It is regarded as a talent factory for young cross-country riders over the Olympic distance. Due to the early start at the end of March and the staggering between the World Cup races, numerous Olympic candidates, including those from abroad, are once again likely to take part in the SP Cup. The level of performance in the eight competitions is correspondingly high. Last year's winner was four-time World Champion and Olympic gold medallist Julien Absalon, while the women's winner was European Champion Sabine Spitz.
The dates
29/30 March, Buchs, SG
5/6 April, Winterthur, ZH
12/13 April, Muttenz, BL
24/25 May, Gränichen, AG
28/29 June, Champéry, VS
12/13 July, Savognin, GR
19/20 July, Seon, AG (SM)
6/7 September, Bern, BE
www.swisspowercup.ch
iXS swiss bike classic
For those who prefer long races with varied panoramas to hectic racing, the seven races in the iXS swiss bike classic marathon series are the perfect choice. They take place in all parts of the country and lead through some of the most beautiful areas of Switzerland.
The dates
1 June, Medrisio, TI
8 June, Estavayer-le-Lac, FR
29 June, Schleitheim, SH
20 July, Küblis, GR
17 August, Grindelwald, BE
30 August, Scuol, GR
28 September, Einsiedeln, SZ
www.ixsclassic.ch
Zurich Oberland Bike Cup
The Zurich Oberland Bike Cup proves that the Zurich Oberland is not just a centre for cyclocross. The cross-country race series impresses with a large proportion of children and professional organisation thanks to experienced organisers.
The dates
27 April, Schwändi
8 June, Hittnau
22 June, Bauma
24 August, Eschenbach
14 September, Egg
20 September, Fischenthal
www.zobike-cup.ch
Gröllheim Cup
The Zurich Unterland is also a hotspot for biking. The Büli Bike Tigers show just how much fun they have with their Gröllheimer Cup. The numerous funny racing scenes can also be viewed on youtube.com and are a welcome contrast to the sometimes rather dogged nature of the participants in the professionally organised cups. Whether there will also be a Gröllheim Cup in 2008 was not yet clear at the time of going to press.
www.buelibiketigers.ch/bbt/events/groell2007.html
Argovia Cup
Roland Steffen and Jan-Olav Boeriis are committed to pulling the strings of the Aargau Cross Country Cup, which covers the entire Mittelland region.
The dates
17 May, Leibstadt
1 June, Wittnau (Aargau Championships)
17 August, Langendorf, SO
24 August, Titterten BL
31 August, Giebenach BL (final run)
www.argoviacup.ch
Bike Cup Eastern Switzerland
Now in its fourth year, the Bike Cup Eastern Switzerland boasts a professional homepage and races in a magical setting, which are mainly held on Friday and Saturday.
The dates
3 May, Thal, SG
18 May, Walenstadt, SG
15 June, Altstätten, SG
1 August, Domat/Ems-Feldis, GR
16 August, Appenzell, AI
20 September, Walzenhausen, AR
www.bike-cup.ch
Toggenburg Bike Cup
The Toggenburg Bike Cup also includes multi-sport events (biking and running) in a family environment, which usually take place on Saturdays.
The dates
20 April, Bütschwil
10 May, Dussnang/Fischingen
17 May, Bütschwil
31 August, Kirchberg
6 September, Mosnang
www.toggenburger-bike-cup.ch
Bernese Oberland-Emmental Championship
The BOE bike championship comprises five races and can be supplemented by the road championship.
The dates
19 April, Homberg
18 May, Innertkirchen
28 May, Kiesen
20 August, Kiesen
14 September, Jassbach
www.swiss-cycling-boe.ch
Upper Valais Mountain Bike Cup
The Upper Valais MTB Cup has a conspicuous number of metres in altitude, as the series, which was initiated in 2007, also includes a mountain race and the Aletsch Bike Marathon.
The dates
14 May, Leukerbad
6 July, Aletsch
3 August, Brig
31 August, Glis-Visperterminen
www.mtbcup.ch
Papival Bike Tour
The 4th Papival Bike Tour has eight stops in the deepest heart of Valais and is regarded as a preparatory series for the Grand Raid Cristalp.
The dates
7 May, Chalais
14 May, La Souste
28 May, Crans-Montana
13 July, Vercorin
4 July, Saxon
25 July, Ayent-Anzère
16 August, Nax
27 September, Sion
www.papival-bike-tour.ch
Jur`Alp Cup
The Jur`Alp Cup takes place in nine locations, one of which is in neighbouring France, and is known for its varied routes in the Vaud and Neuchâtel Jura. Some of the races take place in the middle of the week.
The dates
4 May, Colombier
24 May, Ursy
1 June, Salvan
11 June, Noiraigue
15 June, Les Haudères
29 June, Les Rasses
5 July, Montsevelier
31 August, Chéserex
20/21 September, Lamoura-Arbent/Fr.
www.juralp.ch
Watch Valles Bike Cup
The Watch Valles Bike Cup races take place in the region between Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel and the French border within a radius of 45 kilometres.
The dates
20 April, Perrefitte
27 April, Colombier
11 May, Bonvillars
18 May, Hauterive
21 June, Moutier
13 July, La Chaux-de-Fonds
26 July, Epauvillers
10 August, Biel
13 September, Tramelan
27 September, Le Noirmont
www.watchvalley-bikemarathon.ch
Raiffeisen MTB Challenge
The Raiffeisen MTB Challenge is the regional race series in Ticino for all categories. It was launched in 2005 by Mathias Arpagaus from Graubünden, who has made a name for himself as an active biker and co-architect of the 2003 World Championship Parcours in Lugano and the Mounte Generoso Bike Marathon.
The dates
1 May, Tesserete
29 June, Campo Blenio
3 August, Sobrio
24 August, Leontica
9 September, Campra
14 September, Grono
www.mtbchallenge.ch
iXS Downhillcup
The iXS Downhill Cup is starting the 2008 season with a new homepage and timekeeping. As in the previous year, there are five races in Switzerland with well-known organisers, whereby the stage in Scuol counts towards the European classification of the iXS DH Cup.
The dates
1 June, Wiriehorn
6 July, Scuol
16 August, Davos
13 September, Verbier
4 October, Bellwald
www.ixsdownhillcup.com
Zermatt Fourcross Cup
The Zermatt Fourcross is sailing under the new leadership of captain Daniel Knecht. There are few changes to the concept: for the first time, the kick-off will take place in Glattpark Opfikon and the final - if the authorities give their blessing this time - in Zermatt.
The dates
20 April, Opfikon
18 May, Leibstadt
29 June, Baltersweil, De
6 July, Plaffeien
6 September, Michelbach, Fr
5 October, Laufenburg
11/12 October, Zermatt
www.4cross.ch
