EM in Monteceneri – Frei auch Cross-Country-Europameisterin

In Monteceneri, Switzerland, Sina Frei claimed victory in both the Short Track and Cross-Country events at the European Championships, securing her second title in two days. The 29-year-old Swiss cyclist won the cross-country race over the Olympic distance, finishing with a time of one hour, 26 minutes, ahead of teammate Alessandra Keller, who took silver. The result mirrored the podium from Thursday’s Short Track competition, where Keller had also placed second. Meanwhile, the men's race was underway, live on SRF two. Frei, who previously won gold in the Short Track event, became the first Swiss woman to win the European Championship in cross-country. She took control of the race early, maintaining a steady lead throughout the seven laps, approximately 26 kilometers, before crossing the finish line. Her performance marked a successful day for the Swiss team, which saw multiple athletes place highly in the top positions. Speaking after the race, Frei expressed satisfaction with her performance. “I had a great flow on this track,” she said. Although she acknowledged making a couple of mistakes, she emphasized her ability to recover quickly. She also mentioned how she had mentally rehearsed the course before the race, even visualizing it while barely awake in the morning. For Frei, 2026 has been a standout year, highlighted by her success at the Tokyo Olympics and her recent double victory at the World Cup in Yongpyong. Keller, who secured silver, attributed her slower pace in the final stretch to technical issues. “From the third-last lap, I was riding with a flat tire,” she explained. This affected her performance during the descents, costing her valuable time. Despite the setback, Keller remained pleased with her achievement. “It doesn’t make sense to drown in self-pity. I gave everything, and second place is satisfying.” Bronze medalist Jenny Rissveds, the Swedish rider, faced challenges of her own. She initially led the race but encountered a mechanical failure in the second lap, which prevented her from recovering the lost ground. Though she managed to secure bronze, the incident underscored the unpredictable nature of competitive cycling. The Swiss team performed strongly overall, with several riders placing within the top seven. Nicole Koller finished fourth, Ronja Blöchlinger sixth, and Ginia Caluori seventh. Their collective results reflected the strength and consistency of the national squad during the home event. As the competition continues, attention will shift to the men’s race, which is currently in progress. With the women’s events drawing to a close, the focus turns to the next phase of the championships, where more medals and records could be set. The performances of Frei and her teammates have already left a lasting impression, showcasing the depth of talent in Swiss cycling.