Another Swiss victory: Lars Forster creates a mountain bike sensation

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A week after Nino Schurter’s (37) fantastic 34th record win, another Swiss rider wins the Mountain Bike World Cup. But this time it’s a sensational victory: Lars Forster (29) triumphs out of nowhere in the cross-country race in Leogang, Austria.

It is the second World Cup victory for Forster after the victory in Canada in 2019. After that, the St. Gallen virtually disappeared, going through hard times without much success. Therefore, at the end of 2022, there was no longer a contract in Schurter’s Scott team.

A fresh start is a bull’s eye

But the switch for the current season to the Swiss Thömus racing team as the new teammate of Mathias Flückiger (34) is a direct hit. Forster races to victory in the third World Cup race in the new colours. What a coup! Team boss Ralph Näf: “I didn’t see that coming, unbelievable!”

Forster says in the winner’s interview: “In the beginning I deliberately held back because of the hot temperatures. A top 5 result seemed possible. But then I felt in the leading group on the climb that I was the strongest. So I went all out for the victory. I’m so happy.”

Crazy: Forster’s teammate Flückiger is also on the verge of winning. But as the leader, the man from Bern suffered a rear tire puncture, fell back due to the repairs and finished fifth. Then Forster came into his own. He passes Flückiger – and flies irresistibly to a solo victory. In this form, the East Swiss is also a contender for his third European Championship gold next Sunday in Krakow.

And where does record holder Schurter end up? A week after the effort in Lenzerheide, the Grisons were in 21st place.

Source : Blick