Biography
Born into a world class cycling family, Yanis had no shortage of options when it came to choosing a discipline to compete in. However Yanis started with motocross before switching to cycling full time. He did everything from cyclo-cross to road then XC, before finally choosing in 2025 to really focus on Downhill racing. He did some iXS races as an Under 17, and then in 2026 enterred the World Cup for the first time in Lenzerheide (SUI), a home race, and scored an impressive 8th place. He was now hooked on top level DH racing and continued racing the rest of the season.
Career Highlights
8th Place Junior Downhill World Cup Lenzerheide 2026
9th Place Junior Downhill World Cup Les Gets 2026
Swiss National Champion U17 Downill 2025
Swiss National Champion U17 Enduro 2025
Career History
World Cup DH #7 - Junior - Les Gets (FRA) - 9th
World Cup DH #6 - Junior - Pal Arinsal (AND) - 16th
World Cup DH #5 - Junior - La Thuile (ITA) - 11th
World Cup DH #4 - Junior - Lenzerheide (SUI) - 8th
iXS DH European Cup #1 - Junior - Santiago de Besteiros (POR) - 7th
Athlete Profile
Why do you race: I love the competition, and most of all, I just love riding bikes.
What/who started you racing: My Dad was always a bike rider, so I grew up around bikes and naturally started riding myself.
Weakness: Sometimes I can be a little too overconfident, and that usually ends badly!
Most important people in your life and career: My Dad, my brother and my family. They always support me in every situation.
Racing since: 2022
Best part of racing: The feeling of riding at full speed, pushing my limits and competing against the best riders.
Worst moment in career: Not qualifying for my first World Championships due to crashing.
Best moment in career: Getting two top ten places in my first few Junior World Cups.
General career goals: To become the best downhill rider in the world and become World Champion.
Favourite food: My Mum’s pizza.
Favourite reading: Bike magazines
Favourite music: “Feel the Love” by Rudimental.
Other sports: XC and motocross. To be honest, I'm not very talented in other sports — I can only really ride bikes!
Other interests: I like trail building and doing mechanical stuff. I also enjoy working on motorbikes and anything mechanical. At the moment, I am doing an apprenticeship as a bicycle mechanic.
Best idea of having good time: Riding bikes and shredding turns with my friends.
Favourite place to travel to: Massa Vecchia Bike Paradise in Italy.
Most respected mountain bike riders: Mathias Flückiger and Reece Wilson.
Other most respected athletes in other sports: Franjo Vonallmen in Ski Racing
Favourite riding spots and courses: Portes du Soleil and especially the Les Gets World Cup course.
Advice to beginners: Never give up, dream big and take small steps. Keep working towards your goals and enjoy the process.
If I was not a professional mountain biker….. I'd be a professional motocross racer. I started racing motocross before I switched to mountain biking.
Objectives for 2027:
Take small steps and then bigger steps, move closer to the top of the Junior field, aim for consistent Top 5 results and become a podium contender.