Linda Zanetti defended her Swiss under-23 road race title at the end of a successful week for the 22-year-old where she placed second in the elite road race and was selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Zanetti raced as part of a combined race with athletes from Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Austria on a three lap course with over 2,000 meters of elevation. The punchy climbs suited her skill set perfectly.
“I put an attack in halfway through the race and got away with six other riders,” she explains. “I rode hard so the other Swiss rider couldn’t come back on the last before attacking again to finish solo. I was feeling good so I am going into Giro d’Italia week with confidence.”
The win came a week after Zanetti scored silver in the elite road race, sprinting hard to the line against winner Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Cannondale). The duo were later confirmed to race as part of the Swiss Olympic Road Race team alongside Elise Chabbey and Marlen Reusser.
“To be selected for the Olympic Games is a special feeling,” Zanetti said. “I am proud to represent my great country at the biggest event in the world. I can’t wait for this experience.”
Zanetti ends championship week with a gold medal in the under-23 road race and silver medals in the elite road race and under-23 time-trial.
Photos: Elisa Haumesser
National Championships Switzerland WU – Road Race results
1 ZANETTI Linda – Human Powered Health 3:12:16
2 LIECHTI Jasmin – WCC Team 0:16
3 LEU Lorena – Maxx-Solar Rose Women Cycling 8:46
4 SCHIESS Zoe 8:53
5 STETTLER Janice 10:39
6 PFIFFNER Alia ”
National Championships Switzerland WE – Road Race results
1 RÜEGG Noemi – EF Education-Cannondale 2:48:58
2 ZANETTI Linda – Human Powered Health ”
3 BAUR Caroline 0:02
4 HARTMANN Elena – Roland ”
5 CHABBEY Elise – Canyon//SRAM Racing ”
