Vital Albin and Nicolas Halter win European Championship Gold with the Swiss Team
At the Mountain Bike European Championships on Monte Ceneri, the Swiss squad secured the gold medal in the team relay with a commanding performance. Two athletes from the Thömus family—Vital Albin (Thömus maxon) and Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros Youngstars)—played a key role in the title win. For the Thömus maxon pro team, this is already the second medal of these championships, following Alessandra Keller’s silver in the short track.
U23 rider Nicolas Halter from the Thömus Akros Youngstars devo team laid the foundation for Switzerland’s commanding victory. With an outstanding opening lap, he immediately put the Swiss team in a commanding position and once again demonstrated his class on the international stage. The Swiss team—consisting of Nicolas Halter, Men Gygax, Ronja Blöchlinger, Anina Hutter, Anja Grossmann, and Vital Albin—continued to steadily extend their lead from that point on.
First gold medal since 2019
On his 28th birthday, Vital Albin put the perfect finishing touch. After being plagued by bad luck in yesterday’s short track (XCC) race and being forced to withdraw following an early mechanical issue, he managed to get his revenge today while racing in the Swiss jersey. As the anchor rider, the Thömus-maxon athlete not only managed the lead with confidence but also secured the European Championship victory for Team Switzerland. Italy won the silver medal. Denmark took the bronze. It was Switzerland’s first European Championship title in this discipline since 2019.
Vital Albin was thrilled with the victory in front of his home crowd: “It’s amazing to have been part of this Swiss team. Going into the final lap with a lead of about a minute put me in a comfortable position. It’s always special to race as a team—and to celebrate my own birthday at the same time.”
Historic milestone and seventh international medal for Albin
For Vital Albin, this European Championship title in the team relay holds a very special significance: Exactly ten years ago, in 2016, he won his first European Championship gold medal in this discipline as a U19 rider. Today’s victory marks his seventh podium finish at international championships.
Second podium for Thömus maxon
With today’s victory of the Swiss team, Thömus maxon continues to build on its success at the European Championships on home soil in Ticino. Just yesterday, Alessandra Keller impressed by winning the silver medal in the short track event. In addition, Nicolas Halter’s strong performance underscores the successful youth development program at Thömus Akros Youngstars. After winning silver in the XCC, Halter claimed his second medal today.