Lars Forster takes important victory in Chur
In the first race of the ÖKK Bike Revolution in Chur, Lars Forster took the prestigious victory after an exciting race. Alessandra Keller and Luke Wiedmann (U23) rounded off Thömus maxon’s positive results with a strong second place each.
The men’s HC race got off to a fast start with three riders in the lead – without Thömus maxon being involved. On the third lap, Lars Forster took the lead in the chasing group. Because Thomas Litscher dropped out of the front group and Nino Schurter suffered a defect, Forster chased Luca Schätti, who was in the lead, from the middle of the race onwards.
Forster found the perfect pace
Forster was able to close the 30-second gap on the penultimate lap. The former European champion made the decision in his favor with a powerful attack on the very last climb. “My tactics weren’t ideal, because I was too far behind in the start periode. After that I found a high and regular pace and was still able to take the win – a perfect race day.”
Keller and Wiedmann in 2nd place
In the women’s race, Alessandra Keller was once again in the thick of the fight for the podium places. While the world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Fra) won in superior style, Keller came second in a thrilling duel against Seraina Leugger. “Second place was the best I could do today. I deliberately contested the race from a training phase. In view of that, it was a good second place and a successful test for the next World Cup in Nove Mesto.”
Luke Wiedmann, U23 rider from Thömus maxon, also finished on the podium in the U23 men’s race. Behind an unleashed Finn Treudler, Luke Wiedmann achieved an excellent second place in the first race after the World Cups in Brazil.
Things did not go according to plan for Mathias Flückiger and Vital Albin. Both did not finish the race.