Keller extends overall short track lead with strong third-place finish

Alessandra Keller took another podium place in the World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada. In the Short Track the athlete of «Thömus maxon» reached the strong third place and could extend her lead in the discipline ranking.

The short track of the elite women developed into an elimination race. On a very physical course Alessandra Keller, who started for the first time in her career in the leader jersey of the World Cup, was constantly present. The 26-year-old was partly responsible for the fact that the pace was constantly high in the climbs. Nevertheless, eight riders went into the final lap together.

Once again it was Alessandra Keller who ensured with her enormously high pace that with Jolanda Neff and the again surprisingly strong Gwendalyn Gibson (USA) only two riders could follow. After the long and fast grass descent, Neff took the lead and launched a long final sprint. Keller was unable to counter her compatriot’s attack and ultimately rode to an excellent third place behind Neff and Gibson.

“A good third place”

The Swiss champion was very satisfied with this: “I rode actively, tried to push again and again in the climbs and make the race hard. But in the last climb up to the finish Jolanda and Gwendalyn were a bit stronger. But third place is a good result for me today,” summed up Alessandra Keller.

Keller’s consistency this season is impressive: in 15 World Cup races, short track and cross country, she has finished in the top 10 every time. In addition to the two victories in Vallnord (XCC) and Snowshoe (XCO), there have been no fewer than seven places in the top five.

Discipline lead extended – further catching up in the overall standings

Thanks to her third place and the 50 points she won, Alessandra Keller was able to extend her lead over Anne Terpstra (Ned) in the overall XCC standings to 116 points with one race to go. At the same time she reduced her gap in the overall standings to the Dutchwoman to 108 points. Three races are still to come in the 2022 World Cup. On Sunday the cross-country race in Mont-Sainte-Anne and in one month the season finale in Val di Sole (Ita). A maximum of 580 points can still be won (twice 250 in the XCO and 80 in the XCC).

For Thömus maxon, in addition to Alessandra Keller, U23 rider Luke Wiedmann will also be in action on Sunday in the cross-country race.

The start times:

U23 men: 4:15 p.m. (Swiss time)

Elite women: 6:20 p.m. (Swiss time)

Live on Redbull TV:

https://www.redbull.com/ch-de/events/uci-mtb-weltcup-mont-sainte-anne