Young talent Lewin Iten is on the right track

17-year-old Lewin Iten is one of the best in his age group worldwide. The mountain biker from Unterägeri has three goals in his sights.

Passionate mountain biker Lewin Iten, an electrician in his second year of training, grew up in Unterägeri. His most recent cycling success was the title of Swiss Champion in the U19 cyclocross (cyclo-cross) category in Montreux this January. ‘That was a nice and important success. Another benchmark for me, which motivates me and also shows me that I'm on the right track and that my efforts are bearing fruit,’ says the 17-year-old.

This spring, he added to his success in his main discipline, cross-country, with a seventh place at the World Junior Series in Marseille (France), a first place at the World Junior Series in Monte Tamaro (Ticino) and a fifth place at the World Junior Series in Nalles (Italy). He also won two regional races in Switzerland. His most recent success is two days old: he won a World Junior Series race in Engelberg on Sunday. Lewin Iten rides for the Ägeri Bike Club and thePasolini Racing Team Winterthur.

National and international goals  
And the next challenges are already waiting for Lewis Iten, who is riding his last year in the U19 category. ‘Next year, I can compete in the U23. My long-term goal is the elite.’ He now has three big goals in his sights: ‘Firstly, I want to win the Swiss championship title in Savognin in July.’ Then, in the international field, and if he is selected by Swiss Cycling – and the signs for this are good - he wants to win gold for Switzerland at the European Championships in Portugal (23rd to 27th July) and at the home World Championships in Crans-Montana (10th to 14th September).

Mountain biker Lewin Iten from Unterägeri is in the U19 national squad and wants to qualify for the European and World Championships.
17-year-old mountain biker Lewin Iten from Unterägeri rides for the Ägeri Bike Club and the Pasolini Racing Team Winterthur    
The young talent Lewin Iten is ranked among the top 3 in his age group in the world rankings     
Photos: Matthias Jurt

Lewis Iten is confident: ‘The federation will make the selection for the European Championships in July, and for the World Championships in mid-August. I'm in good spirits, I've fulfilled the first selection criteria. If my form continues, I strongly expect to represent Switzerland at the two major events.’ A selection speaks in Iten's favour, as the man from Unterägeri is currently almost certainly in the top 3 in the world rankings, thanks to his victory in Engelberg. The latest successful results speak in favour of the young talent.
 

Lewin Iten wants to be among the world's best  
Lewis Iten, who has always remained modest despite his successes, dreams of competing with the world's best at the World Championships and Olympics. ‘It's a long and hard road,’ he knows. Balancing school, teaching and sport is a major challenge.

‘I'll complete my apprenticeship in summer 2027, so this goal is a top priority. I work from 7 am to 5 pm in Zug at Elektro Pfiffner AG. It's not always easy to keep up the level of training. I take it step by step and pursue my goal with patience.’ He trains around twelve hours a week on his bike, in the weights room, jogging, on the roller or on cross-country skis in winter.