Gold for Keller, silver for Forster
At the Swiss championships in cyclo-cross Alessandra Keller wins gold again. Lars Forster won silver in his second race for Thömus maxon!
In cold, muddy and deep conditions in Mettmenstetten, Alessandra Keller started the race as defending champion and top favorite. The world number 1 in mountain biking stayed cool and left nothing to chance. Rebekka Estermann, who had already won the silver medal last year, was able to stay in close contact with Keller. But in the end, the 26-year-old Keller won with a commanding twelve-second lead. Zina Barhoumi won bronze.
“Happy to wear the jersey for another year”
Alessandra Keller was very pleased about her second title in a row: “Those were real cyclo-cross conditions today. It was challenging, deep, slippery and muddy and Rebekka Estermann challenged me all the way to the finish. So I am happy that everything went according to plan and I can wear the champion’s jersey for another year.”
Silver for Forster
Three-time Swiss champion Lars Forster takes the second medal for Thömus maxon in Mettmenstetten. Two-time title holder Kuhn put on the pressure from the start and was able to pull away in the first lap. But the later winner Rüegg, as well as Lars Forster, went their own pace and did not let themselves be upset even by a gap of thirty seconds and more.
From the middle of the race the tide began to turn. From then on, Rüegg set fastest lap times and took the lead in the sixth of eight laps. At the same time, Lars Forster also got into better and better swing and saw a chance that it could be more than “just” bronze. While Timon Rüegg celebrated his second elite title, Lars Forster actually managed to jump to silver in the last lap. He was delighted about this: “It was really a tough race and I gave everything I had. That’s why I’m very happy with silver today.”
Wiedmann fifth, gold and twice bronze for the youngstars
Luke Wiedmann also put in a strong performance, finishing in a strong fifth place in the U23 category. For the youth team Thömus akros Youngstars the Swiss Championships were also a success. Monique Halter won her first U23 title, while Lara Liehner and Mauro Hassler each took bronze in the U19 category.