Alexander Karlsson Triumphs at 2025 Swedish Cycle Trials Championship
Alexander Karlsson wins his fourth title at the Swedish Cycle Trials Championship as Kasper Waldestål earns bronze in his debut.
Key Points
- • Alexander Karlsson wins his fourth outdoor Swedish Championship title in cycle trial.
- • Kasper Waldestål secures a bronze medal in his elite senior debut.
- • The competition took place at Borgen Arena in Värnamo under extreme heat conditions.
- • Ludvig Andersson was unable to compete due to a wrist injury.
In a thrilling event held amidst extreme heat at Borgen Arena in Värnamo, Alexander Karlsson reclaimed his title at the 2025 Swedish Championship for cycle trial, marking his fourth outdoor championship victory. The competition saw temperatures peak at 30 degrees Celsius, adding to the challenges faced by the riders. Karlsson, 28, who previously dominated the championships from 2020 to 2022, showcased his skills once again, finishing ahead of Rasmus Lidén, who secured silver, and Kasper Waldestål, who made an impressive debut in the elite senior category by clinching bronze.
"I am really satisfied with the competition and it felt fantastic to stand at the top of the podium again," Karlsson remarked, while also acknowledging Lidén's remarkable return to competition after a two-year break. The absence of Ludvig Andersson, a key competitor sidelined by a wrist injury, slightly impacted the competition's depth.
Kasper Waldestål, just 19, expressed his enthusiasm for his bronze medal, saying, "It's so cool to come third in my first competition. There’s a huge difference in height and technical difficulty compared to what I’ve done before." Both Karlsson and Waldestål are now setting their sights on the upcoming World Cup in Poland in August, aiming to build on their recent achievements.