Keller with World Cup podium – whole team convinced

The start of the new World Cup season was a success for Thömus maxon. At the Short Track in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, Alessandra Keller sprinted to second place after an extremely strong performance. Mathias Flückiger just missed the podium in fourth place. For the cross-country races all five riders are in the first two starting rows.

In Nove Mesto, the starting signal was finally given for the 2023 World Cup season. In the women’s race, Alessandra Keller was present at the front right from the start and rode an active race: “It was very hectic and I always tried to stay at the front to be able to hit everything out in the last lap.” The current world number 1 was able to implement this plan perfectly.

After Keller was able to neutralize an attack by Laura Stigger (AUT) in the last lap, she was the first to turn onto the home straight. In the sprint of a larger leading group only Stigger proved to be faster: “Today’s race was very good. I got the best out of it: a second place and thus a perfect starting position for Sunday.”

Flückiger in excellent form
Alsothe men’s race became even faster and therefore even more tactical than in the years before. The red Thömus maxon trio Flückiger, Albin and Forster presented themselves perfectly prepared and tactically perfectly adjusted. Always placed in the front of the field, they could often act themselves and did not have to constantly react. When it came to the decisive final lap, Mathias Flückiger placed best and demonstrated impressively that his form is excellent. In the final sprint only Tom Pidcock (GBR) and the two short track specialists Sam Gaze (NZL) and Luca Schwarzbauer (GER) were faster; Flückiger finished on a strong fourth place.

“It was very intense. I am extremely happy with my performance. Nove Mesto is the short track in the World Cup which suits me the least. I have never been so well placed here. I already noticed last week that I have the punch. Today I could confirm this and this gives me confidence for Sunday”, a visibly happy Mathias Flückiger summed up at the finish.

Second row on the grid for Forster, Albin and Wiedmann
In addition to the two team leaders Keller and Flückiger, Lars Forster and Vital Albin were also convincing. Forster took a strong tenth place. Albin, who was also constantly present at the front, crossed the finish line in 14th place. This means that Keller and Flückiger will start from the first row of the grid on Sunday – Forster and Albin from the second.

Luke Wiedmann will also start the U23 race from the second starting row. Already on Thursday, he reached 14th place in the short track, which was held for the first time in the U23 category. Wiedmann already contests today Saturday at 3 p.m. his mission in the Cross Country race.

Results Short Track World Cup Nove Mesto

Program XCO World Cup Nove Mesto:
Saturday, May 13:
15:00, U23 men with Luke Wiedmann

Sunday, May 14:
11:30, Elite women with Alessandra Keller
15:00, Elite men with Mathias Flückiger, Lars Forster, Vital Albin

NEW: This year, all races will be broadcast on GCN+/Eurosport. The U23 race is also available on GCN+!