Strong team result for Thömus maxon – Flückiger on the podium
Mathias Flückiger finishes second in the World Cup race in Leogang (AUT) and leads his team-mates to a convincing team result: all three Thömus maxon riders finish in the top ten. Alessandra Keller just missed out after a crash and a tire failure.
On the track where Flückiger has won two of the last three events, the experienced rider opted for an offensive tactic. Early on in the race, he formed a leading duo with the eventual winner and put the field under pressure.
Lars Forster and Vital Albin also put in a strong performance. Albin rode offensively and took an active part in the pace work, while Forster set his usual steady pace and continually made up positions. As the race progressed, Flückiger had to let the Czech Ondřej Cink go. Swiss rider Fabio Püntener was able to catch up with Flückiger, but was distanced again by an attack on the last lap. Flückiger crossed the finish line in second place.
All three men in the top ten
‘The course with the long climbs suits me. I have a lot of positive memories of Leogang – that certainly helped. After a cautious start to the season, I’m very happy with this result,’ said Flückiger at the finish.
Lars Forster took fifth place and Vital Albin ninth. Together they secured the award for best team of the round.
Alessandra Keller without luck
The women’s race did not go as planned for Alessandra Keller. A crash in the technically demanding forest descent and a tyre failure on the second-to-last lap prevented a better result. Keller finished in twelfth place. ‘Today was not my day. But I gave it my all,’ she commented after the race.
The women’s race was won by Puck Pieterse (NED) ahead of Samara Maxwell (NZL) and Ramona Forchini (CH).