Keller comes second at home World Cup
Alessandra Keller takes second place in the short track at her home World Cup in Crans-Montana. The Swiss champion thus defends her top position in the World Cup discipline rankings. Lars Forster and Vital Albin also impressed in the men’s XCC race, finishing 11th and 22nd respectively.
Right from the start, Alessandra Keller was right at the front on a physically and technically demanding XCC course, which will host the World Championships in 2025. It was not until the final lap that Dutch rider Puck Pieterse was able to break away alone from a leading group of five. Keller, who was slightly distanced at the end of the long climb, was able to close the gap to Loana Lecomte (Fra) and Anne Tauber (Ned) on the descent. The 28-year-old won the triple sprint and took a much-acclaimed second podium place in Crans-Montana.
«Knew I was very good downhill»
«It was an incredibly tough race – a mini cross-country. I rode well uphill and although I was slightly left behind on the last lap, I was able to take second place. Because I knew I was very good downhill. It’s really cool to come second in front of the home crowd,» summarised a visibly satisfied Alessandra Keller immediately after the race.
Good starting position for the men
While Mathias Flückiger decided not to start and will be focussing fully on Sunday, Lars Forster and Vital Albin performed very well and consistently. While Forster «easily» achieved his goal of second place on the starting grid with an 11th place, Vital Albin improved once again and finished 22nd. Albin will therefore start the XCO race from the third row.
Wiedmann from the front row
Luke Wiedmann finished a good seventh in the U23 XCC on Friday. Today, Saturday, at 15:30, Wiedmann will start the XCO race. The women’s race starts tomorrow, Sunday at 12 noon. Lars Forster, Vital Albin and Mathias Flückiger will start the race at 14:30 at the end of the World Cup in Crans-Montana.