A women’s selection of the Swiss National Team, led by coach Edmund Telser, will take part in the second stage of the Internazionali d’Italia Series on Elba Island, in Capoliveri, along fellow Swiss riders Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht
Switzerland is poised to make a splash at the upcoming Capoliveri Legend XCO event, with a strong contingent that includes not only Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht, who placed third overall in the recent ABSA Cape Epic, but also a women’s selection from the Swiss National Team who will participate in stage 2 of the Internazionali d’Italia Series.
Thirteen athletes from the Elite, U23, and Junior categories will take their place at the starting line of the UCI HC event in Capoliveri on Saturday, April 8th, following a training camp on Elba Island led by National Team Coach Edmund Telser.
Thanks to a collaboration between the Swiss Cycling Federation and the Elba Island Tourist Board, the Swiss riders will start training on the Costa dei Gabbiani trails on Saturday, April 1st.
The Elba Island will host some of the biggest names in international Mountain Biking, including Sina Frei and Linda Indergand, both winners at Internazionali d’Italia Series. Frei won twice in Nals (2018 and 2019), while Indergand celebrated in Montichiari in 2017. Joining them is Nicole Koller, who has had a successful start to 2023 and is aiming for another prestigious result.
“The ideal conditions to train well were found at Elba Island last year,” said Swiss National Team Coach Edmund Telser. “This island offers a pleasant climate compared to Switzerland at this time of the season, outstanding routes, and an Hors Catégorie event that allows us to evaluate the work done. Sina Frei’s athletic condition is good, but the same can be said for Linda Indergand and Nicole Koller. I saw them in good shape in the last race in Switzerland, despite the technical problems suffered by Sina and Nicole.”
Steffi Häberlin, Tina Zuger, Gina Caluori, and Lea Huber, runner-up at the 2022 World Championships in the Junior race, will round out the Swiss selection at the start of the Open race.
In the Juniors competition, the Swiss team will line up six athletes, led by Anina Hutter, with Sirin Städler, Lara Liehner, Jana Glaus, Muriel Furrer, and Chiara Soler also competing.
“Capoliveri Legend XCO offers a big opportunity to our youngsters,” continued Telser. “After achieving great results in the Junior category last year, Lea Huber is investing time and energy in studies. In addition, Lea is facing the jump in the U23 category, while Anina Hutter already won this year, and we expect her to be able to keep up with this level.”
