Thömus maxon delivers solid results at the World Cup final
The 2026 Mountain Bike World Cup season comes to a close in Lake Placid, USA, with exciting racing and close finishes. Alessandra Keller takes fifth place in the XCO, while Monique Halter also finishes fifth in her final U23 race. For Vital Albin and Lars Forster, it is their last mountain bike race in the colours of Thömus maxon.
The Elite women’s race remains wide open for much of the contest. With the pace high, positions continue to change within the compact leading group. Alessandra Keller feels good and believes she has a chance of fighting for the win. On the sixth of eight laps, however, the eventual podium trio makes the decisive move. Keller is unable to close the gap and crosses the finish line in fifth place.
Keller stays in contention for the win deep into the race
“It was another solid result for me. I felt that I could fight for the win, but I suffered from cramps in the closing stages,” Keller explains. Sina Frei (SUI) takes the victory ahead of Martina Berta (ITA) and Samara Maxwell (NZL). Keller finishes the World Cup season sixth in the overall standings.
Halter finishes her U23 career in fifth place
For Monique Halter, this is her final race in the U23 category before moving up to the Elite ranks next season. She spends much of the race battling for second place, but drops back after a small riding error on the final lap and finishes fifth.
“I felt great today. Unfortunately, a small riding error cost me a podium place,” says Halter. She finishes the U23 World Cup in a strong fourth place overall.
Flückiger fights his way back
In the men’s race, Vital Albin makes an excellent start and briefly takes the lead. Mathias Flückiger also catches the leading group after a more cautious start. However, punctures set both riders back. Flückiger fights his way back to 13th place, while Albin finishes 18th. Lars Forster is also hampered by a puncture and finishes 33rd.
“A typical race for 2026. I didn’t get off to a good start, but then caught the leading group before a puncture set me back again. Now I’m looking forward to the break,” says Flückiger.
Charlie Aldridge (GBR) takes the win ahead of Filippo Colombo (SUI) and Martin Vidaurre Kossmann (CHI).
Farewell after seven and three years
The World Cup final marks the end of Vital Albin’s and Lars Forster’s time with the Thömus maxon mountain bike team. Albin has been with the team for seven years, while Forster has spent three years in its colours. Both have helped shape the team and its development over several seasons.
Their season in the Thömus maxon colours is not quite over yet, however. Both riders will line up for the team one final time at the Swiss Gravel Championships on 17 October, held as part of the Gravel Festival in Bern.