Triple triumph in Baku for Schurter, Flückiger and Giger

Nino Schurter wins the third gold medal for the Swiss delegation in Baku, after Jolanda Neff and Nicola Spirig in the triathlon. Lukas Flückiger and Fabian Giger ensure total triumph with silver and bronze.

At the start of the men's race in Baku, Portugal's David Rosa surprises everyone with a fast start. He was able to hold on to the lead for the entire start lap. Right at the start of the first big lap, however, Schurter takes the lead and immediately steps on the gas. Rosa is still able to hold Schurter's rear wheel, but has to get off the bike after a descent to put the dropped chain back on. Lukas Flückiger slowly makes his way to the front and Fabian Giger also gradually catches up.

Just before the end of the first lap, the leading group is twelve strong. Under the dictation of Schurter's pace, the group is constantly being pulled apart. His pace is so high that soon nobody can follow him and he begins his solo ride. Behind him, Flückiger and Giger play a passive role in the six-man chasing group.

Schurter nevertheless falls back to his pursuers. A tire defect, which he was able to repair with a quick wheel change, robbed him of his lead. He then rode two laps before attacking again and making another break for it. This time with definitive success. Nino Schurter wins the cross-country race of the European Games by 13 seconds ahead of Lukas Flückiger. Fabian Giger is the lucky bronze medal winner.

For this historic result, Schurter only receives 10 UCI points, as this race is only classified as a C3 category race. The prestige value, however, is likely to be much higher.