How did you like the atmosphere of the 2020 Mountain Bike Marathon World Championship held last year in Sakarya?

For me, it was my first trip to Turkey. I was looking forward to it and was curious to see what was coming up. Unfortunately, professional athletes don’t see much except the hotel complex and the racetrack. I was very surprised at the grandiose event offered to us by the Turkish people. Flags and posters were hung up for the event everywhere on the streets. Traffic lights were decorated with World Champ symbols. The opening ceremony was a crazy show -I had goosebumps all evening. I was simply overwhelmed by how much effort they put into it. The joy and interest of the public were felt. It was incredible and unforgettable!

Did you enjoy the racetrack you raced on? How was your experience racing on the track?

The track was a real marathon track. Not many singletracks but many nice fire routes! I liked it. Besides, I thought it was good that we were riding two rounds. So we knew exactly what would come. The race duration was also optimal with almost four hours. The view of the lake on the hill was very nice! The best thing was, of course, the finish area with the big grandstand for all cheerers! This was very emotional. I will never forget the last meters of this race and all the people on the stairs!

What are the reasons for choosing mountain biking in your cycling career?

I love being in nature and practicing sports. I come from Switzerland and there are many mountains there. It was obvious that I would ride a mountain bike. I liked it very much from the beginning and soon I gained success. Already in 2015, I became the world champion U23 in cross-country. Cycling gives me freedom, limitlessness, and joy.

As a world champion, what plans for your cycling career do you have for the future?

In the marathon, I reached the highest level with my world championship title. Of course, I would like to defend this beautiful jersey. It’s not easy and everything has to go together. The level is high! But if you don’t try, you’ll never know if you could have made it. I would also like to establish myself in cross-country and be there at the Olympics in 2024.