U23-Weltmeisterin Alessandra Keller fährt MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM

U23 World Champion Alessandra Keller rides MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM

CC top mountain biker Alessandra Keller in action. Photo: Armin Küstenbrück

Since she became Junior World Champion in 2013, she has been riding one podium after the other in the international cross-country scene – in 2018 she even became U23 World Champion. From 3rd to 5th September 2020, the 24-year-old top mountain biker from Central Switzerland, Alessandra Keller will now be riding at MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM – together with her mechanic Gavin Black. In the interview she tells us how this participation came about, why it's a good idea to have your mechanic with you right away and to what extent she is breaking new ground with an enduro race.

Alessandra, how did your participation at MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM 2020 come about and what is your motivation?
Alessandra: As top athletes we are constantly trying to improve. That also includes going downhill. Since the World Cup on Lenzerheide was cancelled because of Corona, it felt like a good idea to start at MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM. Fun, a great downhill training and a change for me as a mountain biker. We also put our new Enduro bike to the acid test.

How well and with how much pleasure do you ride downhill and have you also done Enduro races?
Alessandra: I have never taken part in an Enduro race, so I am still a greenhorn. However, I like to ride downhill and would say that I am quite good for a woman. 😉 How fast we will be in the end, will show.

MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM is a pure fun race with no points to be won. Doesn't that bother you?
Alessandra: No, because we have no other event this weekend. Even though mountain biking is my job, we always have to keep room in our calendar for fun and new experiences.

You ride in the mixed category together with your mechanic Gavin Black. How did this team come about? Do you plan to ride in such a way that it is better to have the mechanic with you? 😉 😉
Alessandra: Isn’t it always a good idea to have the mechanic with you? No, jokes aside! 😉 Originally I wanted to ride the race with my boyfriend, but he finally didn’t have time. Gavin is one of the fastest downhill riders I know and he is very happy to be racing himself again. Therefore, this team combination is the perfect training for me.

Who of you two is faster downhill?
Alessandra: Definitely Gavin, as he used to ride downhill World Cups. I will just try to stay on his back wheel as long as possible.

But you won’t ride your cross-country bike at MONDRAKER ENDURO TEAM, do you?
Alessandra: No, my beloved CC has to stay at home for once. We ride our brand new Thömus Enduro Oberrider, which was launched on August 1st.

What do you still want to tell us?
Alessandra: I am curious what to expect and I am looking forward to the event!