May 25, 2008 (Gränichen, Switzerland) – Newly crowned European Champion Sabine Spitz (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team took another victory today in the seven-lap women’s race at Swisspower Cup #4 in Gränichen, Switzerland. Ralph Näf (Sui) Multivan-Merida rode to a commanding win in the 10-lap men’s competition.

The 4.2km course was short and fast, allowing spectators to see the riders often during the races. It contained 160m of vertical gain per lap, technical, rooty descents, and three climbs, one of which consisted of a series of switchbacks. Rain showers overnight made the roots treacherous.

Spitz started the race in her regular conservative fashion, riding the first two laps in fifth spot, then making her move and rocketing into the lead by the third, which she maintained to the end. Katrin Leumann (Sui) Goldwurst-Power was in charge until the German took over, and she had to settle for second place, 17 seconds off the pace. Maroussia Rusca (Sui) Scott Alliaz Suisse finished third. Canada’s Sandra Walter (Can) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team placed sixth, 3.40 back. Leumann leads the series with 299 points; Walter is fourth with 235 points.

In the men’s race, Näf set the pace from the start, and quickly created a lead group with Martin Gujan (Sui) Athleticum, Lukas Flückiger (Sui) Athleticum, and Nicola Rohrbach (Sui) Central Ghost Pro Team. On the second-last lap, Näf finally dropped his last pursuer, Gujan, and rode solo to finish a minute ahead of second place. Flückiger took third. Florian Vogel (Sui) Swisspower Cup MTB Team leads the series with 300 points.

The next Swisspower Cup takes place in Champery on June 28.

Women

1. Sabine Spitz (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team 1:27.50
2. Katrin Leumann (Sui) Goldwurst-Power at 0.17
3. Maroussia Rusca (Sui) Scott Alliaz Suisse 1.18
4. Esther Süss (Sui) Wheeler Pro Team 1.49
5. Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Sui) Bikepark.ch 2.07
6. Sandra Walter (Can) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team 3.40
7. Fabienne Niederberger (Sui) X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team 6.55
8. Kathrin Stirnemann (Sui) Merida Suisse Team 7.41
9. Myriam Saugy (Sui) Texner BMC 9.23
10. Francisca Campos Salas (Chi) Centre Mondial du Cyclisme 11.22

Men

1. Ralph Näf (Sui) Multivan-Merida 1:42.12
2. Martin Gujan (Sui) Athleticum at 0.59
3. Lukas Flückiger (Sui) Athleticum 1.24
4. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Orbea 2.51
5. Nicola Rohrbach (Sui) Central Ghost Pro Team 3.02
6. Gion Manetsch (Sui) Athleticum 3.28
7. Alexandre Moos (Sui) BMC Racing 3.30
8. Andreas Kugler (Sui) Fischer-BMC 4.07
9. Jürg Graf (Sui) Swisspower MTB Team 4.18
10. Till Marx (Sui) Swisspower MTB Team 4.32