Podium places at the ÖKK Bike Revolution in Chur
Exciting races on the city circuit in Chur
The race of the ÖKK Bike Revolution takes place in the middle of the old town of Chur, includes many curves and stairs and a longer climb on an asphalt road and a fast single trail descent.
This interesting concept of the ÖKK Bike Revolution seems to work, there were extremely exciting races with many spectators and a good atmosphere.
Keller in fourth place after crash
Alessandra Keller is still in top form and actively participated in the race from the beginning.
She was part of the seven-strong leading group when her front wheel slipped off in a fast gravel bend on the third lap and she lost contact with the leader and eventual winner Evie Richards.
After the crash, however, she quickly regrouped and rode very actively in the chase group.
On the last short climb through the feed zone just before the finish line, she was still fighting for second place, but was narrowly beaten and finished a good fourth.
“I felt strong today and am happy with the result. The crash went smoothly and I’m looking forward to the start of the World Series next week.”
Strong team performance and an outstanding Flückiger
A very exciting race emerged in the strongly contested men’s race.
In the first lap, a larger group stayed together. Already in the second lap Mathias took the lead and reduced the leading group. However, the field often ran together again and so Albin and Forster could be found in the first ten positions besides Flückiger.
These three worked excellently together as a team and each of them rode at the front of the race at times.
In the last three laps there was a very exciting duel between Flückiger and the Olympic champion Thomas Pidcock.
It was a duel on the highest level. Flückiger attacked on the last climb through the feed zone, but Pidcock countered and was able to narrowly defeat Flückiger.
Flückiger at the finish: “It was a great test before the World Series in Nove Mesto. I am satisfied with the second place. In the climbs I felt very strong.”
Vital Albin (6th place), Lars Forster (9th place) and Luke Wiedmann (18th place, 2nd place U23) also all showed a top performance and are in shape for the Word Series start in Nove Mesto next week.
Vital Albin: “I am very happy with my performance and sixth place. I enjoyed my home race.”
Lars Forster: “The form fits, today I lacked a bit the race luck. I’m ready and in shape for next week.”
Luke Wiedmann: “It was a good race, but the long climbs were a bit too long for me. But the result fits.”
Team manager Näf very satisfied
Ralph Näf was also extremely satisfied after the race. “It was an incredibly exciting race. We had three riders in the top group with Mathias, Vital and Lars. I was particularly pleased with how they worked together there. One after the other attacked and shaped the race.
Alessandra Keller also showed her usual strong performance.
The whole team including the staff shows a lot of coordination and we are very happy and confident for the start of the UCI World Series next week in Nove Mesto.”
The exciting races can be watched on Redbull TV.