World champion wins in Chur, Forster with a great race to catch up

In the opening race of the ÖKK Bike Revolution in Chur, world champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot dominated her race. The Frenchwoman won ahead of Alessandra Keller and Seraina Leugger. In the men's race, local rider Nino Schurter and Luca Schätti dominated for a long time. In the end, however, Lars Forster shone as the winner, while Schurter dropped out of the decision due to a defect.

The noise was loud as the course announcer called Grisons' Nino Schurter to the start line. The record World Cup winner lives less than five minutes away from the starting area. Schurter rode off with corresponding motivation and was soon in the lead together with young Swiss rider Luca Schätti. On the fifth of nine laps, Schurter suddenly had to come off his bike. A flat tire threw him back. Schätti was in the lead for the first time in his career in an international hors-category race in the elite category. Lars Forster, a World Cup winner in his own right, approached from behind with fast lap times. Two laps before the end, he passed Schätti and the pair set off together on the final lap. Here the two fought a tough battle with attacks and counter-attacks. In the end, Forster prevailed in the sprint. Nino Schurter rode to the finish in eighth place and enjoyed the great encouragement of his fans at the finish.

In the elite women's race, the focus was on world champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Swiss champion Alessandra Keller. The first half of the race was characterized by tactical waiting. The favorites stayed together for a long time on the fast city course. On the fourth of eight laps, the Frenchwoman launched a strong attack that none of her rivals were able to follow. With world-class ease, Ferrand Prevot quickly rode to a one-minute lead, which she was able to defend confidently to the finish. Behind her, Alessandra Keller and Seraina Luegger battled it out for second place. Keller won the sprint.

The big bike festival in Chur was characterized by many different mountain bike activities. The ÖKK Bike Revolution combines top-class sport, children's races and events for amateur athletes, from the Gusto Ride to riding technique courses. A total of over 12,000 fans watched local hero Nino Schurter's home race live on site in Chur. The ÖKK Bike Revolution continues in three weeks' time with the Hors-Category race in Engelberg. Here, too, numerous top riders from the international mountain bike scene are expected.