The perfect start to the season!
The first showdown of the season at the CIC Swiss Bike Cup in Gränichen went perfectly for Thömus maxon. While Alessandra Keller won the women’s race in superior style, Lars Forster and Vital Albin secured a double victory in the men’s race!
The start of the season and the first race on the new bike, the Thömus Lightrider R3 Worldcup, could not have gone better. Alessandra Keller showed an extremely confident race from start to finish. The current world number three took the lead alone on the second lap and extended her advantage to over a minute by the halfway point of the race. From this moment on, Keller was able to manage her lead and take her first MTB victory of the season with a measured risk ahead of Jolanda Neff and Monique Halter (Thömus akros Youngstars).
“That was a perfect start. I had a good feeling in these difficult conditions and was able to maintain my own rhythm. From the middle of the race onwards, I was able to manage it in a measured and controlled manner”, said Alessandra Keller, drawing a positive conclusion.
Forster and Albin secure double victory
The men’s race developed into a three-way battle between Luca Schätti, Vital Albin and Lars Forster. With a strong final lap, two-time European champion Forster secured the victory. Vital Albin took second place to complete the double victory for Thömus maxon. Lars Forster was very happy about this result: “I wanted to win today, but after my starting pace I had to suffer extremely at the halfway point of the race. Fortunately, the good feeling came back on the last lap,” said Forster, summarizing his successful rollercoaster during the race.
In nasty, wet and muddy conditions, both the riders and the equipment were put to the test. Team boss Ralph Näf drew an extremely positive conclusion: “There is always a certain amount of nervousness at the start of the season. But all our equipment, with our new Thömus bike, as well as the athletes were completely convincing.”
Luke Wiedmann also put in a strong performance and took eighth place in the elite field. Thanks to these strong results, Thömus maxon also won the classification as the best team of the day. Despite the absence of Mathias Flückiger due to illness, the result was a perfect Sunday, which gives confidence for the next races.