From amateur cyclist to vice world champion: Anna Weinbeer’s rise is nothing short of remarkable. In 2021, when the Raid Evolénard hosted the European Championships, the Swiss women delivered an exceptional team result with Häberlin, Forchini and Lüthi finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th. In the shadow of that success, Anna Weinbeer had taken part the day before in the 35 km popular race. Five years later, she will be back at the start line, this time not simply to participate, but to claim her first Swiss national title on a course that seems tailor-made for her strengths. And to confirm that her rise shows no signs of slowing down, she has already launched the 2026 season at full speed with a victory at the first World Cup!
In 2021, when the Raid Evolénard hosted the European Championships, you took part in the 35 km popular race. What memories do you have of that day?
That day is still very vivid in my memory. It was my first contact with the Raid Evolénard and its very special atmosphere: many spectators, international riders, and that impressive setting in Evolène. For me, it was simply a race for fun, but one I had a great deal of respect for.
What was your relationship with mountain biking at the time? What motivated you to take part in this race as an amateur rider?
Mountain biking was above all a balance to my work, without any focus on performance or numbers. The motivation to take part in the popular race came from pure curiosity: it was less about the result and more about the experience and pushing my own limits.
You don’t become Vice World Champion by accident. How did this transition to elite sport unfold over the last few years?
The transition was very rapid and yet a gradual process. First came some good individual results, then the awareness that I could achieve more with targeted training and structure. So I professionalised certain aspects. The journey is the destination.
The 2025 season was a true revelation, with a series of victories against elite riders. How did you experience this period of back-to-back successes? Did you realise what was happening?
It was an incredibly intense season. On one hand there was this euphoria, on the other I had to learn a great deal in a very short time. Honestly, I often only realised afterwards how extraordinary that period was. During the races I was very focused, almost in a tunnel.
Then in September, at the World Championships in Valais, after more than seven hours of racing and 5000 metres of climbing, only Kate Courtney managed to get ahead of you. Tell us about that exceptional day: when did you understand that a medal was possible?
Quite late. The course and the race duration leave little room for calculations. Somewhere in the second half of the race I noticed that I was consistently feeling strong and holding my position. When I realised that the gap behind me was growing, the thought came for the first time: something is happening here. The final kilometres were then a mix of suffering, concentration, and pure emotion.
That World Championship medal changed everything. In 2026, you are joining Team KTM Spadabike powered by Brenta Brakes. What convinced you to join this team?
It was above all the complete package. They contacted me very early and showed interest even before my World Championship result. The team shares my sporting values, works very professionally while remaining human. The sporting focus also fits perfectly with my strengths in marathon and stage racing.
What are your main goals for the 2026 season? And to what extent did you have to rethink the balance between your professional life and your sporting career?
The balance between work and sport was something I definitely had to sharpen again: structured time management, clear priorities, and a supportive environment are now essential. I still work full time and have no desire to change that. Sportingly, my main goal is always to give my best, and then we will see where that leads.
On June 21st, you will be back at the start of the Raid Evolénard, this time with the goal of claiming your first Swiss national title. The course with its long climbs and technical descents in the second half seems well suited to your strengths. Do you share that assessment?
Absolutely. I also think the course suits me, especially the long climbs where I can find my rhythm, and the technical descents in the second half that demand concentration and bike handling skills. Evolène has become a special place for me, and racing here for the Swiss national title gives this race a very particular meaning.
Thank you and good luck for your 2026 season!