A highly interesting race unfolds in Albstadt in front of a deafening backdrop of spectators. There were repeated attacks, which also forced Nino Schurter to act. Matthias Flückiger makes a very strong impression, but suffers a puncture on lap three. Flückiger realizes that he is losing air and attacks. "I thought I could then rest in the technical zone," said Flückiger, explaining how the ten-second lead came about.

Of course, they are gone again after the transition and there are now five riders ahead of him. They split up soon after. Mathieu van der Poel can't quite do what he wants because his shoe buckle has broken. And so it is only Stephane Tempier who can follow the world champion's increased pace. "I didn't want to lay my cards on the table too early, but then I realized that Mathieu couldn't follow and Maxime Marotte was also struggling. That's why I attacked. However, I was surprised that Tempier then came back," said Schurter, explaining how he was able to ride the group apart.

Tempier, however, used up a lot of energy to compensate for the gap from the start. Schurter played to his strengths on the second climb of the penultimate lap and opened up a gap of around 30 meters. "Closing it again against Nino is almost impossible," admits Tempier. Although he doesn't let himself be completely left behind, he can't prevent Nino Schurter's 27th World Cup victory. "I think the choice of equipment played an important role today. And I probably also saved a bit of energy by giving up on Friday. It's nice to win here for the third time. The 2020 World Championships are here, which gives me a good feeling. The backdrop here was great as always," explains Schurter.

Mathias Flückiger has a hard time after his defect because he is riding alone. "It was all too much. I mean, it was my mistake to have a puncture. But I had great legs. I didn't expect so much beforehand, but then in the race I did. Sixth place is okay, but more would have been possible today," says Flückiger. Nino Schurter also confirms this. "Phew, Mathias was super strong. Without a flat tire, it would have been really tough."

Lukas Flückiger sees his eighth place as "a huge step forward", as he says. "The whole weekend actually. I'm almost where I want to be. What's still missing is the confidence, although I also picked up a lot in the short race," says Flückiger.