Jan Christen soars to become Swiss National Time Trial Champion

With a storming ride against the clock, Jan Christen won the Swiss National Time Trial Championships on Thursday evening. The victory secures Christen’s first national title as an elite rider, with UAE Team Emirates-XRG claiming its first win of this national championships block.

Along the 32.6km-long course in Courtételle, Christen batted away stiff competition from the likes of Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Stefan Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling), with Küng’s trade teammate Yannis Voisard slotting between the second- and fourth-placed finishers in third.

No rider was able to match Christen on the day, though, with the 21-year-old completing the course in 43 minutes and 29 seconds, surely his best time trial to date as a professional. With this win, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man will be able to wear the Swiss national colours against the clock for the next year.

As for the Emirati squad, Christen’s win was the team’s first of this current national championships block, but it was the latest in a line of promising results. Earlier in the day, Luca Giaimi and Pablo Torres had finished on the podiums of their respective National Time Trial Championships, whilst Filippo Baroncini rode to fourth in Italy.

Switzerland National Championships ITT – Elite Men results:

1. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 43:29

2. Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon CMA CGM) +6″

3. Yannis Voisard (Tudor Pro Cycling) +15″

Luca Giaimi and Filippo Baroncini both produced fine displays on Thursday afternoon in the Italian National Time Trial Championships. Giaimi took second place on the day, with Baroncini in fourth.

The result is Giaimi’s best in the Italian Nationals, whilst Baroncini’s efforts served as his first time trial opportunity since returning from a long-term injury. The day’s victory was reserved for the now seven-time national time trial champion, Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos).

Giaimi had long been targeting this event and put all of his studying to great use, with preparation paying dividends on the course between Santuario di Vicoforte and Barolo. As for Baroncini, last year’s runner-up was only denied a podium berth by running wide on a corner inside the final 10km.

It was not to be for Baroncini, who missed the podium by just four seconds as a result, but the 25-year-old will be encouraged by his impressive display.

Since making his return to racing after last year’s devastating Tour de Pologne crash, Thursday’s result is Baroncini’s best against the clock. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider is getting better and better with each passing race, a testament to his resolve and determination.

Giaimi: “It was a long and hard TT and the second place was my best result. This result makes me happy and gives me a lot of motivation to keep improving in this discipline. Thanks to the team because today it helped me a lot to have their support, and also to all my family and friends.”

Italian National Championships ITT – Elite Men results:

1. Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos) 47:39

2. Luca Giaimi (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +2:06

3. Henrique Bravo (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) +2:36

4. Filippo Baroncini (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +2:40

Meanwhile, over in Spain, Pablo Torres claimed a fantastic third-place finish for UAE Team Emirates-XRG in the Spanish National Time Trial Championships.

Along the 30.8km-long course to and from Sabiñánigo, Torres shone brightly for the Emirati squad, producing the best time trial performance of his fledgling career. Coming hot on the heels of a fourth-place finish on a summit finish at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Thursday’s result is another indication of the progress that the young Spaniard is making.

With an injury-marred start to 2026 behind him, Torres is hitting his stride in his second season in the UAE Team Emirates-XRG WorldTour ranks, and can now take confidence heading into the road race.

As for the day’s victory, that was reserved for Pablo Castrillo of Movistar, who bettered Torres’ time by only seven seconds.

Torres: “I’m really happy with the bronze. I knew my level was good and that I could be up there fighting for a medal if things went right on the day. The start of the year was complicated for me through injury, so to find good health and good form again is huge for me. We’ve worked a lot on the TT in the team and done plenty of testing with the bike on the track, so I knew it was possible to do a good result. I take this confidence into the road race now.”

Spanish National Championships ITT – Elite Men results:

1. Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) 37:40

2. Xabier Mikel Azparren (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) +4″

3. Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +7″