After an animated women’s race, a no less exciting men’s race took place. While Alessandra Keller was able to take a victory, the race was half a lap too long for Mathias Flückiger to make it onto the podium.
Alessandra Keller rode at the top of the field in the high altitude of Andorra from the beginning and controlled the events. She got rid of most of her opponents on the home straight of the second last lap. Only Evie Richards from Great Britain was able to follow the dry attack of the rider from Nidwalden and finished second behind the brilliant Thömus maxon rider. The young Dutchwoman, Puck Pieterse secured third place. At the finish, Keller admitted that all the pieces of the puzzle had fitted today. “Every weekend you have two chances and if you can already win on Friday, then everything is actually already perfect.” With this victory, she took the lead in the overall XCC standings.
Flückiger’s efforts not fully rewarded
In the men’s race, two riders from Thömus maxon were on the front row of the grid. While Lars Forster was not able to compete for the top positions until the end, Mathias Flückiger was one of the animators of the XCC race in Andorra. Several times he tried to distance himself from the competition with short attacks. In the end, he had to pay tribute to his efforts and let his competitors go in the second half of the last lap. Nevertheless, he was able to secure a good fifth place. The race was won by Schwarzbauer (DE), ahead of Schurter and Sarrou (FR). The other riders from Thömus maxon placed eleventh (Forster) and 23rd (Albin).
Wiedmann already in action on Thursday
As always, the short track races of the U23 categories already took place on Thursday. Luke Wiedmann was able to place himself in a solid fourth place.