iXS Swiss Downhill Cup #3 - Bellwald: Report

As every year, last weekend the iXS Swiss Cup was headed to Bellwald for its final race of the season. The little village in the mountains of Wallis had played host to the Cup already five times before, and again provided the riders with the perfect conditions for the final race of the series in 2013.

Wallis is popular for best weather conditions in late summer and autumn and, indeed, the weather in Bellwald was on its best behavior at the last weekend. The track was also in perfect shape and the race reached a new record with 370 participants from 13 different nations. It definitely seems like word got out that Bellwald is a very special race with an exceptional atmosphere, a breathtaking view and good parties.

Due to the fact that it was the last weekend of the season, last weekend’s race was also the last chance to collect some point for the overall standings. In the Elite Men category, Felix Klee (SUI - Gstaad-Scott) und Maxime Chapuis (SUI - Specialized/Alpinestars) were head-to-head, but both failed to prove their ambitions in the seeding run. Second fastest rider on Saturday was Alexandre Lohner (FRA - RVTT Morillon), whereas Benjamin Verrier (FRA - Enjoy MTB) set the best time of 3:22.374 minutes, which made him place 10 in the overall rankings.

In the Elite Women category, the final challenge was to be between Martina Brühlmann (SUI - iXS Gravity Union) and Alba Wunderlin (SUI - Stützrädli) who were only 2 points apart from each other in the rankings, after Emilie Siegenthaler (SUI - Gstaad-Scott) edged them both out and collected the points for the seeding run.

On Sunday, all eyes were on the last race of the iXS Season 2013 and every single rider was excited and eager to win. The Masters category was dominated by Hansueli Spitznagel (SUI - Gstaad-Scott), who was followed by Nico Hunger (SUI - Ruegger Bike Sport) and Marcel Waldmann (SUI - iXS Gravity Union). And although Marcel Greub (SUI - Radsport Frei / Akira-Tuning) took things rather easy, he won the overall standings with a healthy 6th place in Bellwald.

After his success in Morgins Dave Neuenschwander (SUI - Power Bike DH Team) once more proved his talent and skill with a first place in Bellwald, but was not able to edge out Bellwald’s second place Bennett Newkirk (SUI - EWZ Mountainbiketeam Loop) as the overall winner of the season.

With another success after the seeding run, Emilie Siegenthaler set the best time of her category with 3:41.794 minutes in her final run, followed by Laura Lohner (FRA - RVTT Morillon) and Alba Wunderlin. The overall standings changed one last time, but in the end, Alba Wunderlin succeeded, whereas Martina Brühlmann had to give way to Laura Lohner who had the same score in the overalls, but had been faster than Brühlmann in Bellwald.

Lars Peyer (SUI - SC-Intense) was one of the first riders who had to face the 2200 meter track in the Elite Men category. With a time of 3:17:714 minutes, he finished even 5 seconds faster than the first place in Saturday’s seeding run did. The reigning Swiss Champion placed himself in the Red Bull Hot Seat for rest of the final run: Each and every one of his competitors failed to reach his time. Felix Klee was nearly 5 seconds behind Peyer, Joe Connell (GBR – SC-Intense) was 3 seconds slower than his teammate and also Frigout, Alexandre Lohner and Verrier could not change the outcome of the last race in 2013. In the end, Peyer finished first, Lohner second and Connell in third place and after the last points were added to the overall standings, Alexandre Lohner ended up as this year’s winner of the season, followed by Felix Klee in second and Maxime Chapuis in third place.

The last race in 2013 in Bellwald is in the books and the iXS Series has reached its final round. A well-earned off-season lies ahead, but after a short break the riders should already start thinking about the iXS season 2014. More information on the race, the past season and the new season in 2014 can be found on ixsdownhillcup.com.