Stellenbosch, South Africa. The untamed Cape Epic is considered to be the toughest Mountain Bike stage race on earth. The race that measures all is marked red in the racing calendar of mountain biking’s Greatest Of All Time, N1NO Schurter, who is looking into his 10th participation chasing the prestigious yellow jersey.
In 2025, Cape Epic veteran Nino Schurter has top-tier support with Swiss National Champion and fellow SCOTT-SRAM teammate Filippo Colombo. He’s no newcomer having already completed a Cape Epic in 2021, and together they’re not planning on anything other than a 1st place finish.
For this extraordinary challenge, the team will be equipped with an extraordinary bike: a cheetah-inspired special edition of the SCOTT Spark RC. This unique build features a special design and a highly optimized setup for the rugged South African landscape.
Discover Nino’s and Filippo’s Spark RC Cape Epic Special Edition below.
Behind the design
Cheetahs are generally known as the fastest animals on land and are feared predators in the savannah of South Africa. But now a new one enters the stage, the Spark RC, feared predator in the World Cup circuit and widely known as the fastest XC race bike to date, ready to pounce at the Untamed Cape Epic 2025.
Much like a cheetah, Nino, Filippo, and their SCOTT Spark RC bikes are all about speed—smooth, powerful, and built to be the fastest. Every move the cheetah makes, every pedal stroke from the riders, is about balance, precision, and pure energy, blending instinct with great engineering. Just like the cheetah digs its claws into the ground for control, the Maxxis tires grip the South African terrain, turning raw speed into command over every twist and turn.
And while the cheetah’s camouflage is all about blending into the wild, don’t be fooled—Nino and Filippo aren’t hiding. They’re here to attack, fast and fierce, just like a cheetah on the hunt.
Q&A – Nino Schurter & Filippo Colombo
What goals do you have for the Cape Epic 2025?
Nino: We want to win the Cape Epic 2025, but it will certainly not be easy and a lot of things have to come together.
Filippo: I want to gain good experience with the team and Nino. We know that stage wins are possible and of course we want to do our best and compete for the overall victory.
You are riding together for “SCOTT-SRAM” for the first time at the Cape Epic. What does this premiere mean to you?
Nino: It’s very cool to ride this race with Filippo. He already has experience in stage races, both on the road and on the bike. I’m very excited because he is currently one of the strongest cross-country athletes and we have high ambitions.
Filippo: I don’t know if I’ll get the chance to compete in the Cape Epic with Nino again in my career. That’s why the “Cape Epic” project was very important in my planning. It’s an incredible honor for me to start with him in such a race. We have the best possible support, the best material and I couldn’t imagine a better partner than Nino!
Why is the SCOTT Spark the best bike for the Cape Epic?
Nino: The SCOTT Spark with 120mm travel is the perfect Cape Epic bike. A very smooth setting absorbs all the little bumps and the hidden shock absorber is optimally protected from dust – everything works perfectly.
Filippo: I would never compete in the Cape Epic without knowing that I have the best partners and the best material. The setup on our SCOTT Spark is simply at the best possible level. We have known the material for many years, have done a lot of tests and everything works perfectly. The SCOTT Spark is simply the best bike and it will play a very important role.
N1NO & Filippo’s SCOTT Spark RC Cape Epic Spec List
At Cape Epic, the racing duo will be riding the SCOTT Spark RC World Cup in a special setup. Cape Epic comes with its own unique challenges, which is why the team bikes will be 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 they’ll have to carry spares, plugs, pumps, etc.
Fully kitted out with SRAM XX SL EAGLE AXS Transmission drivetrain, Syncros wheels and ROCKSHOX Flight Attendant suspension system – it’s time for the tires to hit the dirt and for the cheetah to demonstrate its skills.
FRAME: SCOTT Spark RC Carbon HMX SL
FORK: Rockshox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant, 120mm travel, 44mm offset
REAR SHOCK: Rockshox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant Custom
REMOTE: SRAM AXS Pod Ultimate Controller
HANDLEBAR: Syncros Fraser IC SL WC / -40° / 80mm / 700mm
SADDLE: Syncros Tofino Regular Sl Channel
GRIP: Syncros Foam
PEDALS: HT Components Leopard M2t
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM XX SL EAGLE Transmission AXS / 12speed
SHIFTER: SRAM Axs Pod Rocker Controller
CRANK SET: SRAM XX SL EAGLE AXS Transmission Powermeter Crankset, 170mm/ 38T Chainring
CHAIN: SRAM XX SL EAGLE Transmission Flattop Chain
CASSETTE: SRAM XX SL Cs-1299 EAGLE Transmission / 10-52t
BRAKES: SRAM Brakes
WHEELS: Syncros Carbon Wheels
TIRES: FRONT Maxxis ASPEN 29×2.40WT 120TPI (Cape Epic Version) EXO/TR / REAR Maxxis ASPEN ST 29×2.40WT 120TPI (Cape Epic Version) EXO/TR
BOTTLE CAGE: Topeak Shuttle Cage Z Recycled Carbon
COMPUTER: GARMIN Edge 130 Plus
TIRE-SEALANT: Oko Magic Milk High Fibre 100ML
