Brilliant Vital Albin steps into the breach
After the two victories last Friday, it didn’t look like a brilliant result for the Thömus maxon team at the beginning on Sunday. But in the absence of team leader Mathias Flückiger, young Vital Albin finished in a fine sixth place. Alessandra Keller rode into the top 10 in eighth place.
With temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, the riders’ ability to adapt to the dusty conditions at an altitude of over 2000 meters was already a matter of interest before the start of the women’s race. Thömus maxon rider Alessandra Keller made a good start and was able to establish herself in the usual positions of the leading group. In the third of five laps, however, Keller suddenly dropped back and could no longer keep up with the fastest competitors due to a defect. In the last steep climb, however, she managed to catch and overtake a competitor. This secured her a solid eighth place.
Restrained satisfaction for Alessandra Keller
“I gave everything I could today. Eighth place is not what I had hoped for beforehand, but under the circumstances I can be satisfied with the result,” Keller explained afterwards.
The race was won by Anne Terpstra (NED), ahead of Mona Mitterwallner (AUT) and Ramona Forchini from Switzerland.
Vital Albin achieves his best result
In the men’s starting line-up there was a gap in the front row. Team leader Mathias Flückiger had to withdraw due to illness. So, all the pressure was on young Vital Albin. He kept a cool head and managed his race perfectly. “It’s unbelievable! I almost made the podium with my sixth place. I’m very proud of my result and I’m sure it will take a while before I finally realise it,” said the overjoyed Albin after crossing the finish line.
Team manager Ralph Näf gives the all-clear because of Flückiger’s absence
“Our team leader had already complained of feeling unwell on Saturday. Unfortunately, his situation had not improved in the night to Sunday and so we decided together to focus on the rest of the season and to take it easy on him,” said team manager Ralph Näf about Mathias Flückiger’s absence. He was satisfied with the results of the other team members: “We were secretly hoping for another podium, but sometimes things don’t turn out the way you plan. But all the riders are in great shape and ready to set off some fireworks in the second half of the season.”
Luke Wiedmann finishes tenth in the U23 category in the heat battle of Vallnord.