Püntener and Keller win the dernière in Basel

Fabio Püntener wins the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup in Basel and is the new overall leader. As in Savognin, Alessandra Keller won the women's race and relegated local hero Seraina Seraina Leugger to second place. The Škoda Swiss Bike Cup took place as part of the Bikefestival Basel, which celebrated its dernière this year as the Schänzli area is being renovated.

It is the man of the season who is making his mark on the men's Škoda Swiss Bike Cup in Basel. Fabio Püntener (Bike Team Solothurn) and Vital Albin (Thömus Maxon) broke away on the third and final lap of the course around Basel's Schänzli and turned onto the home straight in pairs. Püntener came out on top by a wafer-thin margin in the sprint. "It was the perfect race. Vital and I got away well and in the sprint I just gave it my all again," said the winner. With this victory, he takes the overall lead ahead of the final Škoda Swiss Bike Cup in Gränichen

Keller's plan is working

As at the last stop in Savognin, the winner of the elite women's race is Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon). Together with local hero Seraina Leugger (BIXS Performance Race Team), Keller pulled away on the second lap. Two laps before the end, Leugger was no longer able to keep up with Keller's pace. "Seraina showed a strong race, but it was my plan to push again on the penultimate lap and it worked," said Keller afterwards. Leugger was also satisfied. "It's great to show such a performance in front of a home crowd and to ride onto the podium." Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) came third.

Bouten and Hahn win in the U23

Freek Bouten put on a show of strength in the U23 men's race. The Dutchman distanced the competition by almost a minute. Nicolas Halter (Thömus Maxon) was the only one who was able to keep up to some extent. He rode to second place, 50 seconds behind. Third place went to the Italian Matteo Siﬀredi (KTM Protek Elektrosystem). The decision in the U23 women's race was close. The German Carla Hahn (KMC Ridley) came out on top three seconds ahead of Monique Halter (Thömus Akros - Youngstars) and eight seconds ahead of Elina Benoit (Lexware Mountainbike Team).

Photoﬁnish success for Šerkezi

The junior men's and junior women's races were part of the UCI Junior Series. There was a photoﬁnish between Anja Grossmann (Specialized Junior Team Switzerland) and Marusa Tereza Šerkezi. In the end, it was the Slovenian who came out on top by a wafer-thin margin. Third place went to the American Sophia Wellmeier (Bear Na\onal Team). There was an Austrian double victory in the juniors thanks to Valentin Hofer (Union Maria Schmolln KTM) and Maks Berret Mauz (BC Giant Sta'egg). Max Ebrecht (German cycling/Bulls Junior Team) completed the podium. The last race of this year's Škoda Swiss Bike Cup will take place on September 27 and 28 in Gränichen, Aargau.

swissbikecup.ch/results