Jolanda Neff

She’s a cross-country mountain biking world champion, 2021 Olympic champion and multiple-time Swiss and European champion, but Jolanda Neff is more than an accomplished athlete with extensive honours. Meet this young woman who rides as often as she can — above all, because she loves it — here in Crans-Montana.

The roots behind an unmatched record
Born in 1993 in St. Gallen, Jolanda — the daughter of senior cross-country MTB vice-world champion Markus Neff — grew up amid the smell of damp earth and burnt rubber. For her, cycling is not a career; it’s a way of seeing life and existing in the world. It all started with “a carefree childhood in nature”, shaped by family rides and “discovering this passion for moving, living actively and sharing that with friends”, she recalls.

“I’ve never felt like I had anything to prove and that’s still the case today,” she says, without a hint of hesitation. “I ride and have always ridden because I enjoy it.” She speaks without affectation; her love for cycling is authentic and intrinsic. “For me, it’s a way to feel strong and happy by setting goals and giving everything I can to reach them. I love cycling, I adore competition and it’s simply how I want to spend my life.” And what’s the secret behind her many victories? “Joy,” she answers straightforwardly.

Her list of achievements, however, is staggering. Multiple Swiss champion — twelve times! — and six-time European champion, Jolanda claimed the individual marathon world title in 2016 and the cross-country crown the following year, before topping it all off with Olympic gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021). Added to this are thirteen XCO World Cup victories and three overall World Cup titles. It’s a collection of victories that would make anyone do a double take… except her.

Highs and lows
The road has, of course, been strewn with obstacles. In late 2019, while training in the United States, Jolanda had a serious accident and was hospitalised with three broken ribs, a punctured lung and a ruptured spleen. It took a year before she could return to competition, just in time for the Tokyo Olympics, which had been postponed because of Covid. There, the rider from St. Gallen achieved the feat of a lifetime — contributing to a historic Swiss podium sweep alongside Sina Frei and Linda Indergand.

The next Games slipped from her grasp. Suffering from respiratory difficulties throughout 2023 and 2024, Jolanda was forced to give up defending her title in Paris. Unsure of what was to come, she left Trek Factory Racing for Cannondale, seeing the transition as a chance to find new momentum through the support of a close-knit team. “I’m incredibly lucky to work with Phil Dixon, who I believe is the best in the world, boasting over 15 years of experience working with female athletes and numerous world champion titles,” Jolanda enthuses. This trusting relationship has given her wings again. “Already in 2025, I felt back at my very best and my preparation for the 2026 season was perfect.”

Target Crans-Montana
In late summer 2025, her focus shifted to Crans-Montana for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. “Riding in Switzerland in front of family, friends and a crowd you know is very special. What’s more, my very good friend Linda Indergand decided to retire during the competition, so it was an incredibly emotional moment for me, especially because we’re the same age and have been riding together since we were 10!”

Looking beyond the competition itself, Jolanda is also a longtime admirer of the High Plateau’s cross-country trails. “The first time I rode in Crans-Montana, I realised it was an incredible cycling destination with almost unlimited potential. The beauty of the mountains, the soft forest ground, the lakes, the extraordinary quality of the infrastructure, the often very favourable weather… Crans-Montana truly is a dream destination for outdoor activities,” she says, adding: “and the trails are seriously cool! There’s something for everyone, beginners and professionals alike. On top of that, the municipality is constantly working to improve the area even more.”

Since 2023, Jolanda Neff has been an ambassador for Crans-Montana, and the ski resort has since become her favourite training ground. “At 1,500 metres in altitude, it’s ideal in summer for preparing for the year’s major events.” The training must be paying off, because in the first quarter of 2026, Jolanda finished sixth at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst. The gears are turning… and her joy only continues to grow.