Alessandra Keller only pushed off the podium in the final sprint
Friday is traditionally the day of the short track races on a World Cup weekend. And while the women were able to race in the dry, the men had to battle it out in rainy conditions. After the athletes from Thömus maxon had competed at different venues last weekend, the team was back in full force in Val di Sole.
After overcoming a cold, Alessandra Keller was already back at the front. Despite a bump in the first lap, she even led the race for a while. In a race that was characterised by countless lead changes, she tactically stayed in the front positions and came in third on the long finishing straight. However, in the final sprint she had to be overtaken by world champion Ferrand Prevot.
“I am satisfied with the first row start for sunday,” said Keller at the finish.
“I didn’t have the best start, but I was able to work my way up afterwards. Of course, I would have liked to be on the podium, but I gave it my all and will start from the front row on Sunday,” Alessandra Keller stated after the race. The race was won by Stigger (AUT) in front of Pieterse (NL) and Ferrand Prevot (FR).
No podium place but solid team performance
The men’s race was also characterised by constant fights for positions. While the track became narrower and narrower shortly after the start, the following “Rockgarden” turned out to be a bottleneck. Here, several ranks could be gained or lost in each round. On the meadow passage before the start and finish, which became deeper from lap to lap, there was always the opportunity to close any gaps again. So it happened that a leading group of 15 riders tackled the last lap together. This group also included the three riders from Thömus maxon. In the end, the German short track specialist Schwarzbauer won the race, ahead of Hatherly (RSA) and Dubau (FR). Mathias Flückiger finished a solid eighth, Albin 13th and Forster 14th.
Luke Wiedmann rode his race already on Thursday. He reached seventh place in the U23 category.