Excellent fifth place in the World Champs for Alessandra Keller

Only little was missing and Alessandra Keller would have won a medal at the Elite World Championships. However, after a fantastic fight for bronze, the Swiss champion had to settle for fifth place. In the men’s race, Lars Forster, as the best of the Thömus maxon trio, took a strong 8th place – despite a defect.

For Alessandra Keller it went according to plan from the start. She immediately showed herself at the head of the race. But it was soon clear that the two French women Ferand-Prévot and Lecomte were in a class of their own and would decide the title between themselves. Behind them, however, an exciting battle for bronze developed – with Alessandra Keller among them.

Together with Puck Pieterse (Ned) and Evie Richards (Gbr), the 27-year-old fought a duel for bronze. Halfway through the race, Keller even briefly pulled away from the two, but Pieterse came back, and later also the Austrian Mitterwallner. In the last two rounds Keller fought great against the two “lightweights”, but had to admit defeat in the fight for bronze.

“That was everything possible”
Keller, who finished fifth in the World Championships, nevertheless drew a positive conclusion: “The race was extremely fast and competitive right from the start. The level is currently very high. I have done everything that was possible today. That’s why I’m satisfied with my personal performance.”

In the men’s race Lars Forster and Vital Albin got off to a good start while Mathias Flückiger fell behind in the first few meters. Afterwards, the Swiss champion got caught in the big start tussle and fell far behind. Forster immediately lined up around the tenth position, only a little behind Albin. Flückiger just came back from the start in 53rd position – a (too) big handicap.

While Flückiger made up positions lap by lap and also set the fastest lap time on the third and fourth laps, Forster suffered a defect shortly before the race was halfway through. From position 8, the two-time European champion dropped back to 22nd. But Forster was not discouraged and fought just like Albin and Flückiger until the last lap.

“Maybe I would have been in the fight for the medals”
The 30-year-old Forster managed to cross the finish line in eighth place thanks to his excellent form and morale. Only a little behind, Flückiger and Albin, who rode an extremely consistent race, followed in 12th and 14th place. “I’m happy with my performance. It was a great day, I had great legs. But it’s a pity that I was set back by the defect, because otherwise I might have been in the fight for the medals,” Forster analyzed shortly after crossing the finish line. The gold medals were won by Pauline Ferand-Prévot (Fra) and Tom Pidcock (Gbr).

U23 silver for Ginia Caluori
On Friday, Ginia Caluori from the Thömus akros Youngstars team provided a brilliant result. The newcomer won a great silver medal in the U23 race. Luke Wiedmann also rode strongly and finished the U23 race in twelfth place.

The riders of Team Thömus maxon were not able to cause a sensation and win a medal at the World Championships in Glasgow. Nevertheless, the whole team convinced with a unity and showed that all are perfectly prepared for the season’s highlight. Already in two weeks the World Cup in Andorra offers the chance for the World Champs revenge.

Results Women XCO World Cup Glasgow
Results Men XCO World Cup Glasgow