Thömus maxon Dominates with Triple Podium Finish
An outstanding performance by Thömus maxon at the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race: Mathias Flückiger claimed victory ahead of team-mate Lars Forster, while Alessandra Keller finished second in her XCO comeback. With Vital Albin in seventh place, the team once again demonstrated its impressive depth.
The traditional Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Racecourse challenged the riders with long climbs, technical sections and dusty conditions throughout. Despite the selective nature of the course, the race developed into a surprisingly tactical contest that remained open for a long time.
Flückiger Makes the Difference Late On
The three Thömus maxon men controlled proceedings from the front for much of the race. It was only on the final climb of the last lap that Mathias Flückiger launched the decisive attack. Carrying a small gap into the long descent, he managed his advantage confidently all the way to the finish.
“I had a very good day and felt strong from the start. I was surprised the race stayed so tactical. I’m very happy I was able to make the decisive move on the final climb.”
Forster Capitalises – Albin Finishes in Top 10
Behind Flückiger, the battle for the remaining podium spots intensified. After Vital Albin made a minor mistake on the final descent, the door opened for Lars Forster to move into second place. The Eastern Swiss rider seized the opportunity and outsprinted fellow Swiss rider Fabio Püntener for the runner-up position.
Despite the setback, Albin still secured a strong seventh-place finish.
Keller Impresses on XCO Return
In the women’s race, Alessandra Keller returned impressively to Olympic cross-country competition following her break after winning the Absa Cape Epic. The Central Swiss rider delivered a promising return to XCO racing with second place.
The race was won by Austria’s Laura Stigger, while Germany’s Nina Graf completed the podium in third.
The strong results in South Tyrol confirm the team’s excellent early-season form and provide further momentum heading into the upcoming World Cup races.