Day 21 - Please stand for the national anthem of SUI

So, 12.08.18

Yesterday we saw that today, on Sunday, at Mont Saint-Anne (about 40km from us), the World Cup race for mountain bikers will take place. And our Swiss strengths in cycling are currently in top form. So we decide to dedicate today to sports again.

We leave at about 10 o'clock to make sure we are on site for the start of the women's race with Jolanda Neff, Linda Indergand, and Alessandra Keller at 12:20. There are not many posters or signs to be seen - to be honest, none at all. But as numerous cars slowly stand by the roadside, we are probably in the right place. We park and walk towards the track. They call their bike mecca 'Velirium'. No wonder, because it seems to be known as a bike destination.

The women's race starts on time. They start at a tremendous pace on the 23.8km long track, which is completed in 6 laps. We cheer on the Swiss women loudly and watch Neff pull away after the first lap. Not only that, she extends her lead lap by lap. What a demonstration. We celebrate Jolanda's victory with almost a 2-minute lead. The other Swiss women are also doing well and rank 7th and 10th. Off to the award ceremony. First, the winners of the U23 women's race are crowned. The winner is Sina Frei (SUI).

What a day. Our national anthem is played for the first time. And right after that, the award ceremony for the women's elite will take place with Jolanda in the middle of the podium. And then it's time for the anthem again :)

At 2:50 pm, we are back at the start line and cheer on Nino Schurter, Mathias Flückiger, and co. here. A podium finish is also possible here. The field starts the 7 laps and the two Swiss are immediately in the 6-man leading group. We position ourselves at the top after a steep climb and watch the riders fight. But in the 4th lap, Nino suddenly disappears. As we learn from the loudspeaker, his chain broke. In ninth position, he tries to make up for the lost minute. Unfortunately, without success. In the final lap, he also struggles with a flat rear tire. So he finishes seventh (and already wins the overall World Cup!).

There is an extremely exciting four-way battle for the medals at the front. Flückiger gives it his all and can keep up with all the attacks from his opponents. After a crash by the second-place rider, he manages to pull away a bit and win his very first World Cup race in his career. How cool is that. Victory, victory, victory!

PS. Fortunately, we had sunscreen with us, otherwise I would have been glowing in the evening :)