A perfect start to the season for Thömus maxon

At the CIC ON Swiss Bike Cup in Gränichen, the first big race of the new season, Team Thömus maxon convinced all along the line. While Alessandra Keller won superiorly in the women’s race, Mathias Flückiger achieved a strong second place in his much-noticed comeback. Luke Wiedmann won the U23 special classification and Lars Forster and Vital Albin rounded off the perfect team performance with their fourth and fifth places.

Alessandra Keller confirmed with her victory the good feeling that the woman from Nidwald had already taken with her from the pre-season preparation. Keller let the leading group explode before the halfway point of the race and then raced towards an unchallenged victory. “My acceleration wasn’t really meant as an attack. But when the gap opened up immediately, I decided to go through with my high but controlled pace. It’s nice to win this way and know I’m on track for the first big goals of the season.” Keller ultimately won by over a minute ahead of the duo of Nicole Koller and Jolanda Neff.

Flückiger: “Grateful for the way I was welcomed today.”

The numerous audience greeted Flückiger with great applause at the start line. Under the tempo dictation of the German Luca Schwarzbauer, a trio formed together with Flückiger and the Frenchman Jordan Sarrou already in the first lap. Flückiger, visibly inspired by this perfect start into the race, tightened up again and so already in the second lap Sarrou could no longer follow. Schwarzbauer, who constantly exerted pressure, and Flückiger dominated the race. Only half a lap before the end Flückiger could not follow the 26-year-old German anymore.

While Schwarzbauer deservedly took the victory, Flückiger crossed the finish line in second place, visibly moved. “It means a lot to me to be back. I am very grateful about the way I was welcomed today. The fact that I was able to achieve a second place make my comeback to a perfect day,” said Flückiger after the race. Behind Flückiger, Lars Forster in fourth and Vital Albin in fifth place ensured that three riders from Thömus maxon were on the podium. As tenth of the day, Luke Wiedmann took the victory in the U23 classification. The perfect team performance was rewarded with the award for the best team of the day.

Results CIC ON Swiss Bike Cup Gränichen