Swiss U23 champion Filippo Colombo is missing from the leading group very early on. Colombo is stuck between 15th and 20th place and never really gets up to speed. National coach Bruno Diethelm believes that Colombo was unable to cope with the pressure in front of his home crowd. "If you compare his body language from the relay with that of today, they are worlds apart," says Diethelm.

Vital Albin can't replace the Ticino native, not least because he can't be at the front from the start with bib number 61. The 2016 Junior World Championship runner-up has had a very mixed season, but is able to deliver his best performance at the climax. After one lap, he is in 31st position, followed by consistent top ten lap times.
"I made sure that I didn't overdo it. The crowd cheered me on, but I was never over the limit," says Albin. The constant pace paid off, as he was able to improve on the final lap and set his best lap time. "I'm very happy that it still worked out at my home World Championships after this season," says Albin.Noah Blöchlinger also makes an extremely satisfied impression. From starting position 43, he fought his way up to 13th place (+2:50). "It went very well," says Blöchlinger. "Three years ago it was a dream to be at the home World Championships, now it's a reality and "hueraschön". I've worked so hard for this and was able to show what I can do.

The Swiss are unable to intervene in the battle for the medals. A leading duo emerges at the front in the third lap, followed by Dutchman David Nordemann alone.
Alan Hatherly attacks on the asphalt climb, comes out of the downhill with a three-second lead and has pulled the teeth out of Christopher Blevins. Nine years after his compatriot Burry Stander (†), another South African wins U23 gold. This is not a big surprise, as he has already won the U23 World Cup in Mont Sainte Anne.

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