June 18, 2006 – The eighth Swisspower Cup of the series is on this weekend, with the women’s race on yesterday and the men duking it out this afternoon (Sunday) in the alpine resort town of Gränichen.

Swiss National Champ Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) didn’t let the thin air in Switzerland’s Wallisser Alps hold her back, as she churned out another win, completing the five 5.5-kilometre laps in 1:46:45 and adding another 100 points to her 580-point series lead.

Séverine Hansen (FRA, Scott-Les 2 Alpes) started like a rocket, leading the first two laps. Henzi, however, took her time and reeled the Frenchwoman in. Sarah Koba (SUI, Koba) grabbed third spot, followed by Canada’s Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt) in fourth. Fellow Canadian, Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) finished seventh.

The course started in the town centre at an altitude of 1,590 metres and climbed steeply up the mountainside. Riders had to climb 220 vertical metres per lap, but their efforts were rewarded with fast, fun descents.

The elite men’s race starts today (Sunday) at 4:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. EST). They will face six challenging laps and strong competition from Olympic Gold Medalist Julien Absalon (FRA, Bianchi-Agos), Roel Paulissen (BEL, Giant) and Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower).

Results (5 laps, 27.5 km)

1. Petral Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 1:46:45
2. Séverine Hansen (FRA, Scott-Les 2 Alpes) at 00:57
3. Sarah Koba (SUI, Koba) 06:58
4. Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt) 11:46
5. Bettina Schmid (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 12:45
6. Kathrin Heimberg (SUI, Sputnik) 13:18
7. Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) 13:46
8. Fanny Senn (SUI, Cyclestore Giant) 14:51
9. Corina Gantenbein (SUI, Koba) 16:24
10. Fabienne Niederberger (SUI, X.O-Felt) 17:27