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Marc Hirschi secures the third Swiss medal at the end of the Cycling World Championship. He is third in the road race.
The decision on third place could hardly have been closer. Marc Hirschi raced with Michal Kwiatkowski (POL), world champion in 2014, on the home straight of the Formula 1 track in Imola. The Swiss managed to prevail by a hair.
Decision closed
Marc Hirschi wins the sprint for bronze against Michal Kwiatkowski.
SRF
Two years after his world title in the U23 category, Hirschi also took the podium in the elite. The 22-year-old from Ittigen ranks third in the World Cup after compatriot Stefan Küng, who also won the bronze medal in Yorkshire a year ago.
Irresistible Alaphilippe
Hirschi drove a smart race on the 259 kilometer circuit in Emilia-Romagna. 13 kilometers from the finish line, he took the initiative for the first time on the climb to Cima Gallisterna and was a turning point in the field.
Despite the high pace, Julian Alaphilippe could still improve. With an irresistible attack, the Frenchman moved away and could no longer be caught. The 28-year-old saved 24 seconds in the chasing group. Wout van Aert secured the silver medal ahead of Hirschi.
Alaphilippe is the first Frenchman since Laurent Brochard in 1997 to win the coveted rainbow jersey.
Swiss convinced
With Hirschi’s bronze medal, the title fights ended with another top result for Swiss Cycling. After the disappointment over the Corona-related cancellation of the World Cup at home in Aigle / Martigny, the Swiss athletes have been very happy in Imola for the last four days.
After Marlen Reusser’s silver and Stefan Küng’s bronze in the time trial, an award ceremony with Swiss participation took place on Sunday for the third time this week.
