One of the most significant signings of this season has been Jolanda Neff's move to Cannondale. The Swiss rider seems to have adapted well to her new environment and has just achieved her first victory of the year at the South African Trailseeker race in Banhoek. There we have been able to see her for the first time with her new Cannondale Scalpel for 2025.
Jolanda Neff wins her first race with Cannondale
As has been tradition for several years now, many European mountain bike professionals travel to South Africa at this time of year for training camps and season preparations. They also take the opportunity to participate in local competitions such as the Trailseeker league, which kicked off last Saturday with the Banhoek race.
In the women's competition, Swiss rider Jolanda Neff took the victory with almost a 3-minute lead over Italian rider Sara Cortinovis, a recent signing for the Ghost team. The podium was completed by Portuguese rider Ana Santos, Neff's teammate at Cannondale Factory for 2025.
In terms of equipment, for the first time we were able to see what appears to be the new aesthetics of the team's Cannondale Scapel for 2025. It features a new look with the LAB71 frame in black and light green accents that contrast with the Lefty Ocho Carbon fork in deep red and yellow.
The team maintains last year's set-up with Schwalbe tires, full Shimano XTR groupset, FOX shock and seatpost, and FSA in charge of wheels, handlebars and stem.
In a few days we will have the opportunity to see her more closely as Jolanda Neff is registered to participate in the Internacionales de Chelva 2025, one of her favorite XCO races at the beginning of the year.
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