The decision in the men’s race at Bike Village Huttwil, held for the first time as part of the Škoda Swiss Bike Cup, came in the final lap. Fabio Püntener (Scott-Sram MTB Racing) and Vital Albin (Thömus Maxon) engaged in an exciting duel, which was ultimately decided when Albin crashed. This left the way clear for Püntener to claim his second victory of this year’s Škoda Swiss Bike Cup. Luca Schätti (BIXS Race Team), who had to let the Püntener/Albin duo go in the penultimate lap, finished third.

After the race, Püntener said: “In the final lap, I decided to keep the pace high on the climbs. Today, I felt really strong again for the first time in a while – it’s a great feeling.”

For local favourite Mathias Flückiger (Thömus Maxon), his home race took an unfortunate turn. Already in the first lap, he suffered a broken chain and had to run half a lap to the tech zone. Despite the significant deficit, Flückiger showed great fighting spirit and, together with Filippo Colombo, who had also crashed early on, posted some of the fastest lap times at one point. Flückiger ultimately finished 19th.

Redemption after a disappointing World Championships

In the Elite women’s race, Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon) delivered an impressive response to her disappointing World Championships. Keller crashed in the first lap but quickly fought her way back to the front of the race. From the second lap onwards, Keller decisively pulled clear of Nicole Koller and went on to an emphatic victory.

“After the disappointing World Championships and a difficult week, this victory feels really good. At the start, I was still a little off the pace. But after the crash, I found my rhythm again and was able to maintain my pace all the way to the finish,” said Keller.

Reigning U23 Short Track World Champion Monique Halter (Thömus Maxon) impressed in her first Elite race, finishing third.

Schibler, Stoffel and Grossmann win the junior races

In the U23 category, France’s Tom Perrin (SUNN Factory Racing) and Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) took the victories. The U19 races, held as part of the UCI Junior Series, were won by Joel Stoffel (Thömus – Young) and newly crowned U19 World Champion Anja Grossmann (TRINITY Racing), who continued her impressive season with another commanding victory.

The final round of the 2026 Škoda Swiss Bike Cup will take place in Gränichen on September 26 and 27. The overall winners of the season will be crowned there.

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