Aiming high at the 2020 Cape Epic

Expectations are high as SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing kicks off the first highlight of the season in full force to defend last year’s title win. Two world-class teams, both going for the podium with an additional back up team will be lining up at the start this year.

Cape Town, South Africa. 8 days, 647 kilometers and 15530 meters of climbing. The Cape Epic is considered the Tour de France of mountain bike racing. It’s also the first highlight of SCOTT-SRAM’s racing season. The race that measures all has truly created some of the most exciting stories in recent years from drama to glory. Extreme conditions are highly demanding for riders, staff and equipment, allowing the race to unfold in it’s very own dynamic, making it to a one-of-a-kind adventure in the world of cycling.

Cape Epic Champions 2019 returning in full force 2020 to defend their title.
Photography: Shaun Roy

SCOTT-SRAM’s expectations for this year’s edition are high as they’re coming with confidence having the defending Cape Epic champions Nino Schurter and Lars Forster in their roster. The race starts on Sunday 15th of March with the Prologue at Cape Town University, before heading into the next 7 stages finishing Sunday 22nd in Val de Vie. The 2019 Cape Epic victory was remarkable for the fact that Forster and Schurter lost 6 minutes and 45 seconds to a major puncture during Stage 3. Having their teammates jumping in to support, clearly pointed out the importance of team spirit as the foundation for success at special races like Cape Epic.
This is why for 2020, the Swiss duo returns to defend their title with the added insurance of a 2nd world-class team of Andri Frischknecht and Matthias Stirnemann, racing for the podium themselves, as well as a backup team to support if needed.

This race is going to be a special one in lots of ways. Confronted with many challenges on-site, Coronavirus adds another layer of complexity, providing unforeseeable impacts on the 2020 season in general.

“We are looking forward to the most intense, adventurous, challenging and exciting event of the season. The untamed Cape Epic is unpredictable. Even though we are all well prepared and optimistic, this year’s edition of the Cape Epic has an additional challenge for all of us. It’s a bit odd to focus on racing when the whole world is facing the battle against Coronavirus.”

Thomas Frischknecht
Team Director
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

2019 Cape Epic Champions – Nino Schurter & Lars Forster

2019 Cape Epic Champions Nino Schurter and Lars Forster are arriving in South Africa with confidence aiming at achieving back-to-back wins to kick-off the 2020 racing season. After the feat of strength seen at last year’s race, having to fight back 6 min and 45 seconds due to a mechanical on Stage 3, these 2 powerhouses showed what they are capable of by pushing each other to the limit. A February training camp on-site in Stellenbosch, South Africa, allowed for fine-tuning to the special conditions, showing that both are in good condition and ready to go for the win again.

“Obviously we go into the race as the favorite team which for sure doesn’t make it easier. However, we are well prepared and have superb support within the SCOTT-SRAM Team which leaves me very optimistic looking at the 8 days of racing ahead of us.”

N1NO Schurter
2019 Cape Epic Champion, Olympic Champion & 8x World Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

“I’m really looking forward to riding this Cape Epic beside Nino as I have only the best memories of last year. Over the period of the year, I forgot how hard it was but I’m sure I will remember again when I’m in the race.”

Lars Forster
2019 Cape Epic Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

Andri Frischknecht & Matthias Stirnemann

Proven under pressure 2 weeks ago during the Cyprus Sunshine Epic, Andri Frischknecht teams up again with Matthias Stirnemann. Both winners of the 2018 Swiss Epic, Frischknecht comes with 2 stage wins at the 2017 Cape Epic under his belt. Stirnemann himself is no stranger to the team’s jersey and a constant training partner to Frischknecht on home soil. Riding with Nino Schurter, Matthias won the Cape Epic in 2017, he knows what it takes to win. Both will team up under SCOTT-Möbel Märki. Despite showing team spirit in 2019 supporting their teammates, for the 2020 edition the team has been given the green light to go all-in for racing with and not for Schurter/Forster.

“We are excited and ready to tackle the Cape Epic. As 2018 Swiss Epic winners we are a proven team that works on- and off the bike. Let’s hope we find the flow as we did in 2017 winning some stages.”

Andri Frischknecht
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

To win a race like the Cape Epic it takes more than just two riders though. Teamwork and team spirit is key. A first-rate team allows options tactically while a backup team is security while facing technical problems.
With the Swiss World Cup riders Severin Disch and Florian Chenaux who start under the team name SCOTT- Davos/Klosters we can rely on a strong support team. Lastly, team director Thomas Frischknecht, who just turned 50 recently, will race alongside his best buddy Urs Gerig in the Grand Masters category.

N1NO Schurter’s Cape Epic Special Edition SCOTT Spark RC World Cup

At Cape Epic the team will be riding the SCOTT Spark RC World Cup in a special edition team color. The Cape Epic bike comes with a special setup and small details which make the bike fit the demanding conditions only Cape Epic has to offer.

E-Dropper, SRAM’s latest state-of-the-art wireless shifting AXS technology and TwinLoc. Just some of the trick bits you’ll find on N1NO Schurter’s SCOTT Spark for 2020 Cape Epic.

Check out the World Champion’s Cape Epic rig including full Spec lists here.