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The 15th edition of XTERRA Switzerland took place in the Vallée de la Brévine, where high-alpine terrain and cool summer air welcomed athletes from across Europe and beyond over the weekend of June 21–22. Set beneath the Jura mountains near the French border, the festival atmosphere has become a hallmark of the traditional Swiss stop on the XTERRA World Tour.
Local athletes delivered a dominant showing in the Full Distance Triathlon, with Alanis Siffert (CHE) and Max Studer (CHE) claiming both the Elite titles and the Swiss National Cross Triathlon Championship crowns. Among age groupers, Anja Elser (DEU) was the fastest overall woman, while Loic Menoux (FRA) posted the top time in the men’s amateur ranks. The course featured a 1.5K swim in the cool waters of Lac des Taillères at 1050M elevation, a 34K MTB ride with 950M of climbing through forest and meadow trails that briefly entered France, and a 9K trail run with two climbs through pine woods, flat sections along the lakeshore that ended in front of a cheering crowd.
Rising stars raced for a chance to qualify for the XTERRA Youth World Championship, with top honors earned in both the Sprint and Super Sprint formats. Thomas Durand (FRA) led the way as the overall fastest in the Sprint Triathlon and winner of the Youth B division, while Tanguy Ranjard (FRA) claimed the Junior category with a second-place overall finish. On the women’s side, Valentina Ehrnsperger (DEU) was best among Youth B, and Margot Ratton (FRA) topped the Junior ranks. In the Super Sprint, Youth A victories went to Pietro Ciccarelli (ITA) and Chiara Gai (ITA).
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The roots of XTERRA Switzerland stretch back to 2010, when the series launched in Prangins with Olivier Marceau (CHE) and Marion Lorblanchet (FRA) claiming the first Elite titles. The event remained there through 2012 before shifting to the Jura’s Vallée de Joux, where current XTERRA World Cup leader Arthur Forissier (FRA) built his legend with five victories between 2015 and 2019. Meanwhile, Xavier Dafflon (CHE) and Loanne Duvoisin (CHE) began to define the next generation of Swiss off-road success.
Since its move in 2023 to the high valley of La Brévine in Neuchâtel, the event has found a new rhythm and a fitting landscape for its evolving identity. That year, Forissier earned his sixth win in Switzerland, while Duvoisin made headlines in the Neuchâtel Sports Press not only for winning at La Brévine, but for doing so just a week after claiming the XTERRA European Championship title. Her efforts earned her the 2023 Neuchâtel Sportsperson of the Year award. In 2024, local press ARCInfo called the race “a great celebration” as Valentin Rouvier (FRA) and Bianca Morvillo (ITA) emerged victorious in tough conditions.
The region’s commitment to outdoor life shines through, from the Red-Fish Neuchâtel swim club to age group star Carole Perrot (CHE), who finished seventh overall while defending her 45–49 title just two weeks after winning her division at XTERRA Belgium. La Brévine has proven itself as a quiet stronghold for off-road triathlon, shaped by consistency, community, and a deep connection to nature.
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In her first-ever XTERRA cross-triathlon, Alanis Siffert (CHE) delivered a commanding performance to win the Full Distance race and the 2025 Swiss Cross Triathlon Championship in La Brévine with a total time of 2:58:27. The 23-year-old from Freiburg emerged from the lake in front, powered through the technical mountain bike sections, and held strong on the trails to take the tape. “Swimming is my strength, and I was able to get out front. I felt really good, and the lake here is just magnificent,” she said. “I entered T2 first, which was really cool. Then on the run, I just went for it, enjoyed the scenery, and gave everything I had.” Siffert’s breakthrough in the off-road format adds to an already impressive 2024-2025 campaign that includes victories at Challenge Mallorca, Gérardmer XL, and Challenge Taiwan, along with a silver medal at the European Long Distance Championships. Elizabeth Orchard (NZL) took second in 3:06:13, and Anna Wer (POL) placed third in 3:07:48, rounding out a competitive international women’s field.
On the men’s side, Max Studer (CHE) continued his evolution from short-course Olympic racing to off-road success by winning the men’s elite title in 2:30:53. The two-time Olympian from Kestenholz who finished 9th at the Tokyo 2020 Games and 11th in Paris 2024, led from the front and held his gap through the technical sections. “The swim was really good. I built a good gap early. The run is usually my strongest discipline, but I actually struggled a bit from the vibrations on the mountain bike, it was a new feeling in my legs.” Despite the challenge, Studer held off two strong French competitors, with Nicolas Duré (FRA) finishing second in 2:33:00 and Elliot Labourdette (FRA) taking third in 2:35:54. “It’s really nice to be in the forest, on the trails, with the downhills and little jumps,” he added. “It’s really friendly and someone even lent me a bike part yesterday. That’s a special part of this community.”
Siffert and Studer’s victories in La Brévine secure them each a place at the 2025 XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, where they’ll once again represent Switzerland at the highest level of off-road triathlon.
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Now in its second season, the XTERRA Youth Tour has quickly become a major draw at race weekends, and in Switzerland, that energy was impossible to miss. Backed by clubs, families, and a growing fan base, the youth events matched the Full-Distance Triathlon in importance and atmosphere. The Sprint and Super Sprint formats made for fast, spectator-friendly action, with high stakes on the line as athletes battled for spots at the 2025 XTERRA Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy.
The Sprint race (750M swim, 18K bike, 4.5K run) served as the qualifier for Junior and Youth B categories, while Youth A athletes raced in the Super Sprint (150M swim, 4.4K bike, 1.5K run). As the Tour continues to grow, Switzerland’s courses serve as pivotal proving grounds for future champions.
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In the Junior division, Tanguy Ranjard (FRA) delivered a standout performance, crossing the line in 1:26:36 to finish second overall in the Sprint and claim the top Junior spot. Representing Chenôve Triathlon Club, Ranjard impressed with technical bike handling and calm race execution. “I finished 8th in the swim,” he said. “The transition was good for me, and the bike was very good, especially in the technical sections. The second position was very difficult, and the heat made it tough.” Based in Dijon, it was his first-ever XTERRA race. “I liked it because it was very challenging,” he added with a smile. Tommaso Bozzi (ITA) followed in 1:29:59, with Alexandre Plottier Hartmann (FRA) right behind in 1:31:31 to complete a tightly packed Junior men’s podium.
On the women’s side, Margot Ratton (FRA) clocked a 1:56:49 finish to secure top Junior honors. Representing MACTRI and hailing from Bourgogne, she leaned on her riding strength after a tough start in the water. “The swim wasn’t very good because it’s not my discipline,” she admitted. “But the bike went very well. The run was good, but very difficult and hard to finish.” Ratton described XTERRA as a perfect fit: “I like the riding part, especially because it’s very technical, and that’s my strength.” Cléo Durovray (FRA) finished second in 2:21:27, with Ninon Fournier (FRA) taking third in 2:23:13 to round out the Junior women’s results.
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Thomas Durand (FRA) of Annecy delivered a commanding effort in the Youth B division, winning not only his category but finishing as the overall Sprint Triathlon champion with a time of 1:25:54. “My swim was good. I had a good start and a smooth transition, so at the beginning of the bike, I was in first,” he said. “Then two guys came in a row, and I tried to race with them. At the start of the run, I tried to keep a good intensity. I finished first in the end because I had a good sensation.” Despite being more of a traditional triathlete, Durand embraced the mountain biking challenge. His mother, Anne, added, “All the training he’s been doing since he was young is starting to pay off. I’m happy he’ll be able to experience the XTERRA Youth World Championship.” Ewan Sandot (FRA) placed second in 1:31:18, followed by Pietro Marchetti (ITA) in third with a time of 1:36:12.
In the women’s race, Valentina Ehrnsperger (DEU) continued her upward trajectory to take the Youth B win in 1:47:17. Based in Basel, she returned with confidence after a tough outing last year. “Last year, I couldn’t finish the bike, but this year it was ten times better,” she said. “The swim was pretty nice. I felt very relaxed. Reflecting on what sets the event apart, she added, “It just feels different and the people are nice.” Angele Laurençon (FRA) was second in 1:58:58, with Paula Kleindienst (DEU) third in 1:59:28.
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In the Youth A Super Sprint, Pietro Ciccarelli (ITA) led the charge with a sharp, strategic race to win the boys’ title in 24:46. “It was a good race,” he said. “I didn’t have my goggles, so I wasn’t able to do that well in the swim. Coming out of transition, I thought the guy in front had more in him, so I stayed at my own pace. What made the difference was not putting on the cleats and the downhill, where I was able to give my best.” Representing Granbike Triathlon and based in Turin, Ciccarelli kept his reflection simple: “The bike is the best part.” Lasse Paul Rother (DEU) finished just three seconds behind in 24:49 to take second, with Leo Bergesio (ITA) rounding out the podium in 26:06.
On the girls’ side, Chiara Gai (ITA) delivered a composed effort to win in 29:19, using her swim and run strength to edge out Louise Tisserand (FRA), who crossed just two seconds later in 29:21. “I swam well, I ran well, and I tried to hold on during the bike,” Gai explained. “Swimming is what I do well.” Norah Simon-Vermot (CHE) claimed third in 36:18, capping off a fast and fiercely contested Youth A field.
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At its core, XTERRA Switzerland was less about the clock and more about connection to the land, the people, and the experience. The trails here aren’t just marked for one weekend; they’re lived on, year-round. As one resident of nearby Le Locle put it, “Here, we live in sync with nature. In summer we bike and run on the same trails we ski on come winter.”
Whether it was the untimed Discovery Triathlon, the local kids racing for fun, or the trail runners testing themselves through open pastures, the invitation to explore remains most important. As Muriel Jeanneret, former Community Council President of La Brévine, once put it, the valley doesn’t offer grandstands — it offers open arms. With support from Jura & Three-Lakes Tourism, Swiss Triathlon, Raiffeisen, Viteos, and Le Gruyère, XTERRA Switzerland carries on as a tradition sustained by the local and international community, and strengthened each year by those who rise to the occasion.
The 15th edition of XTERRA Switzerland took place in the Vallée de la Brévine, where high-alpine terrain and cool summer air welcomed athletes from across Europe and beyond over the weekend of June 21–22. Set beneath the Jura mountains near the French border, the festival atmosphere has become a hallmark of the traditional Swiss stop on the XTERRA World Tour.
Local athletes delivered a dominant showing in the Full Distance Triathlon, with Alanis Siffert (CHE) and Max Studer (CHE) claiming both the Elite titles and the Swiss National Cross Triathlon Championship crowns. Among age groupers, Anja Elser (DEU) was the fastest overall woman, while Loic Menoux (FRA) posted the top time in the men’s amateur ranks. The course featured a 1.5K swim in the cool waters of Lac des Taillères at 1050M elevation, a 34K MTB ride with 950M of climbing through forest and meadow trails that briefly entered France, and a 9K trail run with two climbs through pine woods, flat sections along the lakeshore that ended in front of a cheering crowd.
Rising stars raced for a chance to qualify for the XTERRA Youth World Championship, with top honors earned in both the Sprint and Super Sprint formats. Thomas Durand (FRA) led the way as the overall fastest in the Sprint Triathlon and winner of the Youth B division, while Tanguy Ranjard (FRA) claimed the Junior category with a second-place overall finish. On the women’s side, Valentina Ehrnsperger (DEU) was best among Youth B, and Margot Ratton (FRA) topped the Junior ranks. In the Super Sprint, Youth A victories went to Pietro Ciccarelli (ITA) and Chiara Gai (ITA).
The roots of XTERRA Switzerland stretch back to 2010, when the series launched in Prangins with Olivier Marceau (CHE) and Marion Lorblanchet (FRA) claiming the first Elite titles. The event remained there through 2012 before shifting to the Jura’s Vallée de Joux, where current XTERRA World Cup leader Arthur Forissier (FRA) built his legend with five victories between 2015 and 2019. Meanwhile, Xavier Dafflon (CHE) and Loanne Duvoisin (CHE) began to define the next generation of Swiss off-road success.
Since its move in 2023 to the high valley of La Brévine in Neuchâtel, the event has found a new rhythm and a fitting landscape for its evolving identity. That year, Forissier earned his sixth win in Switzerland, while Duvoisin made headlines in the Neuchâtel Sports Press not only for winning at La Brévine, but for doing so just a week after claiming the XTERRA European Championship title. Her efforts earned her the 2023 Neuchâtel Sportsperson of the Year award. In 2024, local press ARCInfo called the race “a great celebration” as Valentin Rouvier (FRA) and Bianca Morvillo (ITA) emerged victorious in tough conditions.
The region’s commitment to outdoor life shines through, from the Red-Fish Neuchâtel swim club to age group star Carole Perrot (CHE), who finished seventh overall while defending her 45–49 title just two weeks after winning her division at XTERRA Belgium. La Brévine has proven itself as a quiet stronghold for off-road triathlon, shaped by consistency, community, and a deep connection to nature.
In her first-ever XTERRA cross-triathlon, Alanis Siffert (CHE) delivered a commanding performance to win the Full Distance race and the 2025 Swiss Cross Triathlon Championship in La Brévine with a total time of 2:58:27. The 23-year-old from Freiburg emerged from the lake in front, powered through the technical mountain bike sections, and held strong on the trails to take the tape. “Swimming is my strength, and I was able to get out front. I felt really good, and the lake here is just magnificent,” she said. “I entered T2 first, which was really cool. Then on the run, I just went for it, enjoyed the scenery, and gave everything I had.” Siffert’s breakthrough in the off-road format adds to an already impressive 2024-2025 campaign that includes victories at Challenge Mallorca, Gérardmer XL, and Challenge Taiwan, along with a silver medal at the European Long Distance Championships. Elizabeth Orchard (NZL) took second in 3:06:13, and Anna Wer (POL) placed third in 3:07:48, rounding out a competitive international women’s field.
On the men’s side, Max Studer (CHE) continued his evolution from short-course Olympic racing to off-road success by winning the men’s elite title in 2:30:53. The two-time Olympian from Kestenholz who finished 9th at the Tokyo 2020 Games and 11th in Paris 2024, led from the front and held his gap through the technical sections. “The swim was really good. I built a good gap early. The run is usually my strongest discipline, but I actually struggled a bit from the vibrations on the mountain bike, it was a new feeling in my legs.” Despite the challenge, Studer held off two strong French competitors, with Nicolas Duré (FRA) finishing second in 2:33:00 and Elliot Labourdette (FRA) taking third in 2:35:54. “It’s really nice to be in the forest, on the trails, with the downhills and little jumps,” he added. “It’s really friendly and someone even lent me a bike part yesterday. That’s a special part of this community.”
Siffert and Studer’s victories in La Brévine secure them each a place at the 2025 XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, where they’ll once again represent Switzerland at the highest level of off-road triathlon.
Now in its second season, the XTERRA Youth Tour has quickly become a major draw at race weekends, and in Switzerland, that energy was impossible to miss. Backed by clubs, families, and a growing fan base, the youth events matched the Full-Distance Triathlon in importance and atmosphere. The Sprint and Super Sprint formats made for fast, spectator-friendly action, with high stakes on the line as athletes battled for spots at the 2025 XTERRA Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy.
The Sprint race (750M swim, 18K bike, 4.5K run) served as the qualifier for Junior and Youth B categories, while Youth A athletes raced in the Super Sprint (150M swim, 4.4K bike, 1.5K run). As the Tour continues to grow, Switzerland’s courses serve as pivotal proving grounds for future champions.
In the Junior division, Tanguy Ranjard (FRA) delivered a standout performance, crossing the line in 1:26:36 to finish second overall in the Sprint and claim the top Junior spot. Representing Chenôve Triathlon Club, Ranjard impressed with technical bike handling and calm race execution. “I finished 8th in the swim,” he said. “The transition was good for me, and the bike was very good, especially in the technical sections. The second position was very difficult, and the heat made it tough.” Based in Dijon, it was his first-ever XTERRA race. “I liked it because it was very challenging,” he added with a smile. Tommaso Bozzi (ITA) followed in 1:29:59, with Alexandre Plottier Hartmann (FRA) right behind in 1:31:31 to complete a tightly packed Junior men’s podium.
On the women’s side, Margot Ratton (FRA) clocked a 1:56:49 finish to secure top Junior honors. Representing MACTRI and hailing from Bourgogne, she leaned on her riding strength after a tough start in the water. “The swim wasn’t very good because it’s not my discipline,” she admitted. “But the bike went very well. The run was good, but very difficult and hard to finish.” Ratton described XTERRA as a perfect fit: “I like the riding part, especially because it’s very technical, and that’s my strength.” Cléo Durovray (FRA) finished second in 2:21:27, with Ninon Fournier (FRA) taking third in 2:23:13 to round out the Junior women’s results.
Thomas Durand (FRA) of Annecy delivered a commanding effort in the Youth B division, winning not only his category but finishing as the overall Sprint Triathlon champion with a time of 1:25:54. “My swim was good. I had a good start and a smooth transition, so at the beginning of the bike, I was in first,” he said. “Then two guys came in a row, and I tried to race with them. At the start of the run, I tried to keep a good intensity. I finished first in the end because I had a good sensation.” Despite being more of a traditional triathlete, Durand embraced the mountain biking challenge. His mother, Anne, added, “All the training he’s been doing since he was young is starting to pay off. I’m happy he’ll be able to experience the XTERRA Youth World Championship.” Ewan Sandot (FRA) placed second in 1:31:18, followed by Pietro Marchetti (ITA) in third with a time of 1:36:12.
In the women’s race, Valentina Ehrnsperger (DEU) continued her upward trajectory to take the Youth B win in 1:47:17. Based in Basel, she returned with confidence after a tough outing last year. “Last year, I couldn’t finish the bike, but this year it was ten times better,” she said. “The swim was pretty nice. I felt very relaxed. Reflecting on what sets the event apart, she added, “It just feels different and the people are nice.” Angele Laurençon (FRA) was second in 1:58:58, with Paula Kleindienst (DEU) third in 1:59:28.
In the Youth A Super Sprint, Pietro Ciccarelli (ITA) led the charge with a sharp, strategic race to win the boys’ title in 24:46. “It was a good race,” he said. “I didn’t have my goggles, so I wasn’t able to do that well in the swim. Coming out of transition, I thought the guy in front had more in him, so I stayed at my own pace. What made the difference was not putting on the cleats and the downhill, where I was able to give my best.” Representing Granbike Triathlon and based in Turin, Ciccarelli kept his reflection simple: “The bike is the best part.” Lasse Paul Rother (DEU) finished just three seconds behind in 24:49 to take second, with Leo Bergesio (ITA) rounding out the podium in 26:06.
On the girls’ side, Chiara Gai (ITA) delivered a composed effort to win in 29:19, using her swim and run strength to edge out Louise Tisserand (FRA), who crossed just two seconds later in 29:21. “I swam well, I ran well, and I tried to hold on during the bike,” Gai explained. “Swimming is what I do well.” Norah Simon-Vermot (CHE) claimed third in 36:18, capping off a fast and fiercely contested Youth A field.
At its core, XTERRA Switzerland was less about the clock and more about connection to the land, the people, and the experience. The trails here aren’t just marked for one weekend; they’re lived on, year-round. As one resident of nearby Le Locle put it, “Here, we live in sync with nature. In summer we bike and run on the same trails we ski on come winter.”
Whether it was the untimed Discovery Triathlon, the local kids racing for fun, or the trail runners testing themselves through open pastures, the invitation to explore remains most important. As Muriel Jeanneret, former Community Council President of La Brévine, once put it, the valley doesn’t offer grandstands — it offers open arms. With support from Jura & Three-Lakes Tourism, Swiss Triathlon, Raiffeisen, Viteos, and Le Gruyère, XTERRA Switzerland carries on as a tradition sustained by the local and international community, and strengthened each year by those who rise to the occasion.
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XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure.
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