June 12, 2006 (Gränichen, Argau) – The seventh race in the 12-race Swiss National mountain bike series took place yesterday in glaring heat in Gränichen, Argau. After months of cold, wet weather, summer finally hit Switzerland with temperatures in the high 20’s . Many riders, not used to the heat, had a hard time on the 4.2-kilometre course that contained 150 vertical metres of climbing each lap. The course was very spectator-friendly, crossing itself via a bridge and looping back and forth a gravel pit that contained obstacles, such as short, loose climbs, a BMX roller section, drops, launches and berms.

Swiss National Champion and Swisspower Cup leader Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) won the women’s race, despite a foot injury. Franziska Röthlin (SUI, Kona-Verbier-Swiss Factory) finished second, while Esther Süss (SUI, Ghost) moved up to third in a strong second half of the seven-lap race. Kiwi Annika Smail (NZL, Velobern) led the first three laps, but couldn’t maintain her high pace and finished fifth.

Canada’s Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) finished 15th and teammate Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt) abandoned due to an injury. Henzi has 480 points, followed by Süss with 373 points and Röthlin with 323 points. Walter is in sixth place with 280 points.

In the men’s race, Swisspower Cup leader Martin Gujan (SUI, Athleticum) took an early lead, but wasn’t able to maintain it over the grueling nine-lap race. It was Sweden’s top rider, Frederik Kessiakoff (SWE, Cannondale-Vredestein), who took the victory, followed by Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower) in second place and Thomas Frischknecht (SUI, Swisspower) in third. Gujan finished fourth.

Gujan leads the series with 389 points, Balz Weber (SUI, Bikepark.ch-TUI) is second with 314 points and Frederic Frech (FRA, Scott Allianz Suisse) is in third overall with 311 points.
Results

Results

Women
1. Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 1:46:15
2. Franziska Röthlin (SUI, Kona-Verbier-Swiss Factory) 1:47:06
3. Esther Süss (SUI, Ghost) 1:48:00
4. Maria Osl (AUT, Tonis Pro Team) 1:48:21
5. Annika Smail (NZL, Velobern) 1:48:53
6. Elisabeth Osl (AUT, Tonis Pro Team) 1:49:20
7. Sarah Koba (SUI, Koba) 1:50:58
8. Katrin Leumann (SUI, Sputnik Bikeshop) 1:51:57
9. Sabrina Enaux (FRA, Lapierre) 1:53:13
10. Saskia Elemans (NED, Beneluxbikers.nl) 1:53:32

15. Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) 2:01:20
DNF Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt)

Overall after seven events
1. Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 480 points
2. Esther Süss (SUI, Ghost) 373
3. Franziska Röthlin (SUI, Kona-Verbier-Swiss Factory) 323
4. Bettina Schmid (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 289
5. Katrin Leumann (SUI, Sputnik Bikeshop) 284

6. Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) 280
16. Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt) 166
39. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 39

Men
1. Frederik Kessiakoff (SWE, Cannondale-Vredestein) 1:51:44
2. Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower) 1:51:58
3. Thomas Frischknecht (SUI, Swisspower) 1:53:39
4. Martin Gujan (SUI, Athleticum) 1:54:40
5. Silvio Bundi (SUI, Athleticum) 1:54:41
6. Hannes Metzler (AUT, Giant Swiss) 1:55:09
7. Andreas Kugler (SUI, Athleticum) 1:55:43
8. Daniel Suter (SUI, Giant Swiss) 1:57:01
9. Lukas Flückiger (SUI, Bianchi-Agos) 1:57:29
10. Till Marx (SUI, Swisspower) 1:57:29

Overall after seven events:
1. Martin Gujan (SUI, Athleticum) 389 points
2. Balz Weber (SUI, Bikepark.ch-TUI) 314
3. Frederic Frech (FRA, Scott Allianz Suisse) 311
4. Nino Schurter (SUI, Swisspower) 310
5. Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower) 305