The Swiss Alps roared with tires, chains, and thousands of fans ringing cowbells as the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships delivered an unforgettable spectacle.
The Marathon Madness. The legendary Verbier–Grimentz Cross-Country Marathon is more than a race – it’s a test of body and spirit. Over 125 km and 5,000 meters of climbing, riders faced brutal climbs and even a four-kilometer portage after five hours in the saddle. Italy’s Mara Fumagalli delivered a gritty ride to take a top-10 finish despite the punishing course. Lorenzo Samparisi also shone, holding a top-10 spot for most of the race before dropping time in the portage section and finishing a proud 15th, ahead of former World Champion Andreas Seewald.
A Bronze Relay for Team Switzerland. Switzerland struck early with bronze in the Team Relay. Ramona Forchini’s blistering lap pushed the team into podium contention, and the anchor rider sealed the medal in a dramatic finale. France took gold and Italy silver, but it was the home team’s performance that electrified the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the championships.
Alessandra Keller’s Golden Moment. Racing beneath the Matterhorn, Alessandra Keller fulfilled a dream, winning the Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) and a new elite rainbow jersey. Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds set a fierce pace, but Keller timed her attack perfectly on the final climb, crossing the line four seconds ahead. “This is unbelievable,” Keller said, dedicating her win to her team and supporters. It was more than just a personal victory – it was a moment that united fans and confirmed Keller’s place among the sport’s greats. In the XCO race, Keller fought back from a mid-pack start, battled Rissveds and New Zealand’s Samara Maxwell, and survived a minor crash to claim bronze – her second medal of the weekend. “To win two medals on home soil is just extraordinary,” she said.
Schätti Narrowly Misses the Podium. Sunday’s spotlight was on the men’s race. While Alan Hatherly (RSA) broke away early to claim a commanding victory, an intense battle for the remaining podium places unfolded behind him. Right in the middle: BPRT rider Luca Schätti. The Zurich native bridged up to the medal contenders on the final lap and suddenly found himself in the mix for glory in the Crans-Montana cauldron. In the end, he was narrowly outsprinted by France’s Victor Koretzky and finished 4th – the best result of his elite career. “Of course, fourth place is bittersweet, but I am very satisfied. This morning I would have signed for this result without hesitation. It’s clearly one of the highlights of my career,” said Schätti.
Mathias Flückiger – Brave Fifth in a Brutal Race. Mathias Flückiger was the only rider to follow Alan Hatherly’s early attack but eventually fell back to the chase group. After massive efforts on the front, he was beaten in the final sprint and finished fifth. “Fifth isn’t bad, but I hoped for more,” he admitted.
Rising Stars and Promising Results. Nina Graf cracked the top 10 in XCO, while US National Champion Kelsey Urban and Lia Schrievers secured top-20 results. In U23, Rens Teunissen van Manen’s sixth place hints at future success. Germany’s Carla Hahn delivered an emotional XCC U23 silver after working through the field and dropping South Africa’s Tyler Jacobs on the final climb. “I really wanted to show what I can do,” Hahn said, fighting back tears.
The Trails Ahead with KS. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the passion and relentless pursuit of performance shown by the athletes mirror KS’s own values. Our droppers faced brutal climbs, descents, and sprints – and proved their worth. With 2025 in the books, we look ahead to new challenges and victories. Mountain biking never stands still – and neither do we. Click here to know more on the LEV Ci, World Cup team’s favourite dropper seat post.
Photos: Piotr Staron, Jan Cadosch