The junior race is like a thriller and the main protagonist is the Swiss rider Alexandre Balmer, who prevails against the German Leon Kaiser at the last moment. Bronze goes to Frenchman Mathis Azzaro, while Loris Rouiller is the second Swiss rider to finish fourth - with a flat tire.

For Alexandre Balmer, the dream of becoming world champion is already over after the first half lap. At least that's what he thinks at the moment. Balmer gets off to a very bad start and is not in the top 20 for the time being.
"I thought my race was over, but then I thought I had to give everything for my country, for my father, for my team and stay calm. It's going to be a long race," said Balmer at the press conference.

After just one lap, Mathis Azzaro is reported to be over 30 seconds behind, having taken the lead after two kilometers and started a solo at the front. Azzaro gained up to 40 seconds on Leon Kaiser, who was riding in second place, with Loris Rouiller a few seconds behind, whom Balmer was able to catch up with on the third lap.
"But I found it difficult to keep up with his rear wheel and I thought again that I would probably leave here without a medal," admits Balmer. But the young man from La-Chaux-de-Fonds has character. He fights and then benefits on the one hand from the fact that Mathis Azzaro has obviously overdone it. On the one hand, the Frenchman falls, but on the other, he also becomes weaker.

In addition, the Swiss champion Loris Rouiller was unlucky. On the third-last lap, he suffers a defect, has to change and loses touch. On the fifth of six laps, Balmer caught up with Kaiser and together they reached Azzaro. And so it goes into the final lap. Kaiser attacks first on the asphalt climb. But Balmer is able to compensate for the six or eight seconds, because the European Championship bronze medallist has perhaps overtaken himself a little. Kaiser attacks again, but Balmer stays in front.

So it goes into the last forest passage. Kaiser is ahead, but Alexandre Balmer takes advantage of a brief moment of inattention to pass his rival. He can no longer react and Balmer rides across the finish line in first place to the loud cheers of the crowd.
"It was a crazy race and because it was so hopeless at the start, I was very moved by the victory. Two gold medals, I'm extremely happy. Also because altitude has never been good for me before. But now I have a perfect season and can already focus on the Road World Championships in Innsbruck," commented Balmer.

Loris Rouiller didn't give up after his defect and came very close to the Frenchman, who was breaking away. He is inconsolable at the finish line because he didn't manage to win a medal.