Lourensford Wine Estate, South Africa. After 8 days of an epic racing, SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing’s Nino Schurter and Filippo Colombo are the 2025 Untamed Cape Epic Champions! Following an extremely close battle throughout the week, the most challenging stage race in MTB reached its climax on Sunday. Glory, suspense, drama, and the surprises that can only come from the Cape Epic – the 2025 edition will long be a highlight for Schurter, Colombo and SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing.
Going into the weekend, the final stages promised to be thrilling, and the iconic South African stage race did not disappoint. The weather reversed from sweltering heat and suffocating dust to deep mud and slippery conditions, where any moment could bring a mistake that would threaten the entire GC. Bodies were hurting, and on Saturday the guns were not loaded and the bullets couldn’t fire – and as the SCOTT-SRAM duo suffered so to did their GC lead, shrinking down to only 32 seconds.
That left it all to fight for on the start line of Stage 7, where once again the legend of the Cape Epic was on full display. Terrible weather conditions during the night forced a last-minute change of course, leaving only 40km, instead of the 64km planned, for our GC-leading riders to commence their final battle.
Finally, after over 600km and 16,500 metres of climbing in the world’s toughest MTB race, Nino and Filippo fought hard to keep the yellow jersey on their shoulders all the way to the finish line, achieving a tactical and prestigious victory… and a glorious start to the season!
Nino Schurter
10x World Champion, 3x Cape Epic Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing
Stories that only a Cape Epic can write
From the first stage, the tone was set. Schurter and Colombo took their first tactical victory, marking a milestone for the yellow jersey holders as they took lead of the GC, and never gave it back until the final finish line a week later. Throughout each stage, the battle to hold onto the GC remained close, fighting against the clock, the elements and their competition, where nothing would be decided until the very last moment.
The 5th Queen Stage defied the riders in all its intimidating glory and it was here that the SCOTT-SRAM duo was able to take their second stage win with a tactical masterstroke. A strategic push with 15km to go allowed the duo to take valuable seconds off the chasing Wilier-Vittoria team, increasing their overall lead to 1’52”.
At that point, even if the gap was close with their pursuers, it was possible to start dreaming about securing the overall victory… But there are stories that only a Cape Epic can write. In no other race are ultimate glory and shattered dreams existing so closely together.
On Stage 6, cracks began to show as, at 12km to go, the pursuers Wilier-Vittoria attacked with SCOTT-SRAM unable to hang on. Filippo hit a wall, an unfortunate result of lost gels, and the fight was on to minimise damage on their GC lead. Working as a team right to the line, the duo secured a 3rd place but the gap had seriously shrunk… down to only 32 seconds.
That left it all to fight for on the start line of Stage 7. The strength of the SCOTT-SRAM duo and their unbridled hunger for victory turned the disappointment of the previous day into power. Through the pain of 8 epic days of racing, they held their focus and drove the pace extending their 32-second lead to secure the overall victory, 1:32 minutes ahead of chasers Braidot & Avondetto of Wilier-Vittoria.
Team commitment at its best
It is not just about taking part in a race, it is a true test for the team and their material to compete in the toughest MTB Stage race in the world. In order to be able to deliver top performances every day, the athletes are supported by an experienced team on site, who in turn push themselves to the limit in the pursuit of ultimate glory. It takes a team to be successful at the Untamed Cape Epic.
Fabien Bonderer
Co-Manager
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing
N1NO & Filippo’s SCOTT Spark RC Cape Epic Cheetah Edition
For Cape Epic, our combo raced the SCOTT Spark RC World Cup in a special setup. This untamed race comes with its own unique challenges, which is why the team bikes are set up a bit differently than for a World Cup race. The team has to be able to sort their own problems out on course, no Yanick the Mechanic nearby, which is why carried spares, plugs, pumps, etc.
Fully kitted out with SRAM XX SL EAGLE AXS Transmission drivetrain, Syncros wheels and ROCKSHOX Flight Attendant suspension system – the tyres hit the dirt hard and the Cheetah showed its mettle throughout.
Double Win for SCOTT-SRAM in Italy
Celebrations continued for SCOTT-SRAM in Italy this weekend with a double victory and Emilly Johnston’s first Elite race win.
Tuscany, Italy. Alongside the great success in South Africa, the SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team had more to celebrate this weekend with another double victory in Italy! At the Internazionali d’Italia at Monte Argentario in Tuscany, both Emilly Johnston and Andri Frischknecht crossed the line in first place. The two riders managed the severe wet and muddy conditions, riding at their best to secure their first victories of the season.
For the young Canadian Emilly Johnston, this marks her first win in the Elite Category. Well done both!
