Richard Felle (ThinkBike) and Caitlinn Elliot (UCD) raced successfully in the Racer Bikes Cup in Switzerland last Sunday. Both racers competed against some of the worlds best mountain bikers on a difficult course which included long steep climbs,long flat fireroads and short greasy descents. Both riders did surprisingly well on a course that lacked any real technical descending. The race was a UCI 2 event but still included very tough competition including the Olympic Champion, Julien Absalon.

In the ladies race, National Champ, Cait Elliot had a great race in the dry conditions. The long climbs suited her ability perfectly but the flat sections may have hindered her performance slightly. She finished in 21st place.
“I was gridded 32nd and a really tight tarmac start loop at the usual ferocious pace meant it was hard to get into a good position. I waited until the nastily steep climb before starting to make up some places. The course was good, a real mixture with something for everyone. Steep climbs on tarmac/fireroad, switchback descents, and long flat fireroad sections” Cait

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In the mens race, The weather changed and the course became wet and slippery. It was Julien Absalon who won 23 seconds ahead of Multivan Merida rider Moritz Millatz and Trek world racing team rider Liam Killeen.

Richie had a brilliant race as a fine end to his three week euro campaign finishing in 31st place.

“The fast start was tough for me and I had to ride at my own pace for a while, after a lap I started to feel good and rode each lap consistently, the flat sections suited me best and I made sure the power was put down on these points each lap, The Long sustained climb at the start was too tough and I had to ride smart to avoid blowing up”

“Overall, the last few weekends of international racing has given me great experience and has really shown me where my strengths and weaknesses are and I am now working on these in preparation for the National Championships in July.

The front row of the grid for the mens race includes some big names.

Richie is expected to start the Epic NPS race in preparation for the Nationals.

Cait will partake in another round of the Racerbikes cup next weekend before coming home to train for the coming Champs.