April 6, 2008 (Winterthur, Switzerland) – The second round of the Swisspower Cup series took place on Saturday in Winterthur, Switzerland, under cloudy skies. It was a chilly day with snow in the forecast. Maroussia Rusca (Sui) Scott Allianz Suisse, who placed second behind World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak-Ergon in round one last weekend, took victory yesterday in the women’s race, after storming through 5.5 laps. Swiss National Champion Petra Henzi (Sui) Fischer BMC was second, followed by Germany’s Adelheide Morath (Ger) Rothaus-Cube in third. Canada’s Sandra Walter (X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team) secured another top-10 finish with 9th place. Rusca leads the series after two of seven races. Walter, who finished fourth overall in 2007, is currently in eighth place.

In the men’s race, Swiss riders and teammates Florian Vogel (Sui) Swisspower Mountainbike-Team and Nino Schurter (Sui) Swisspower Mountainbike-Team pulled off 1-2, despite a very competitive field. José Antonio Hermida (Spa) Multivan Merida Biking Team and Australia’s U23 National Team (coached by Canada’s Neil Ross) were also among the world-class riders. Daniel McConnell (Aus) SouthAustralia.com made the podium with a third-place ride. Hermida was fourth. With two wins in as many races, Vogel leads the series.

Results

Women

1. Maroussia Rusca (Sui) Scott Allianz Suisse 1:37:49.3
2. Petra Henzi (Sui) Fischer-BMC at 00:53.8
3. Adelheid Morath (Ger) Rothaus-Cube MTB Team 1:08.4
4. Marielle Saner Guinchard (Sui) Bikepark.ch / BMC 1:40.5
5. Esther Süss (Sui) BikErich/ RC Gränichen 2:58.2
6. Katrin Leumann (Sui) goldwurst-power / Sputnik 4:19.5
7. Renata Bucher (Sui) Sțckli РCraft 04:57.0
8. Sarah Koba (Sui) Koba 5:19.4
9. Sandra Walter (Can) X.0-Felt Womens MTB Team 6:01.2
10. Nina Göhl-Wrobel (Ger) Multivan Merida Biking Team 7:23.1

Men

1. Florian Vogel (Sui) Swisspower Mountainbike-Team 1:53:54.6
2. Nino Schurter (Sui) Swisspower Mountainbike-Team at 1:13.6
3. Daniel McConnell (Aus) SouthAustralia.com 2:04.1.
4. José Antonio Hermida (Spa) Multivan Merida Biking Team 2:21.1
5. Alexandre Moos (Sui) BMC Racing 2:26.1
6. Moritz Milatz (Ger) Multivan Merida Biking Team 3:01.5
7. Jürg Graf (Sui) Swisspower Mountainbike-Team 3:49.0
8. Silvio Bundi (Sui) Giant-Swiss-Team 4:24.1
9. Balz Weber (Sui) Bikepark.ch / BMC 4:41.6
10. Martin Gujan (Sui) Athleticum MTB Team 4:53.5