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SCOTT-SRAM Takes the Crown at SWISS-EPIC

Aug 25, 2020 | News | 0 comments

N1NO Schurter and Lars Forster are the newly crowned Swiss Epic Champions. The 5-day stage race in the Swiss alps was dominated from the start to finish by the two SCOTT-SRAM champions.

Davos, Switzerland. Having missed this year’s Cape Epic and a big part of the racing season, it really felt great to be back racing. The Swiss Epic delivered an amazing event making up a bit for what we missed. N1NO Schurter and Lars Forster took the opportunity to show their best winning 4 out of 5 stages securing the Swiss Epic Champions title in an impressive way.

5 days of incredible mountain scenery at Swiss Epic.
Imagery: Michael Chiaretta- Marius Holler- Francesco Narcisi- Swiss Epic

The 5 day stage race started in Laax, moved on to the famous mountain town of Arosa and finished in the city of Davos. 320km with 12250 meters of climbing. Not a walk in the park by any means, many say that Swiss Epic is harder than Cape Epic.

N1NO Schurter and Lars Forster as the current Cape Epic Champions went into the well attended race as the favourites. Additionally, they had the big advantage over the international competitors in that they raced on home turf. A little advantage which obviously payed off.

Stage 1 in Laax- close to where Nino grew up- was stage win Nr.1
The SCOTT-SRAM duo showed their aim for the win from the beginning taking stage 1 in Laax and the overall lead over Trek Pirelli (ITA) and Centurion Vaude (GER). Stage 2 from Laax to Arosa passed by Nino’s home town of Chur. He knew every meter of the route. But he also knew that the major climb from Chur up to the finish in Arosa would be a real test for all. SCOTT-SRAM finished in 2nd behind Future Cycling. More importantly, they extended their lead by a few seconds.
The team in yellow demonstrated harmony in all aspects.
From stage 3 on in Arosa it was obvious that Nino and Lars were going to be hard to beat. Both in excellent shape, they demonstrated great harmony with no weaknesses. Riding smart, controlling the field and attacking towards the end of the stages also secured them stages 3 and 4 from Arosa to Davos. Looking at them racing they really enjoyed the first class trails along the route.
Lars (left) and Nino (right) truly enjoyed the amazing trails at Swiss Epic.
Watch SCOTT-SRAM in Action at Swiss Epic- by Claudio Caluori
SCOTT-SRAM went into the final stage in Davos with a fine lead by more than 10 minutes over TREK-Prielli. However, during stage races and in particular in one with rough alpine terrain, the win is only secured at the finish line. Just like the champions they are they played it safe throughout the last stage bringing the yellow jersey home. More than that, with a final attack on the very last downhill they also managed to win the last stage which made it 4 out of 5 stages – a class in their own!
Controlling the race at all times until the end – SCOTT-SRAM took 4 out of 5 stages.
The Olympic Champion was obviously very happy at the finish in Davos. No wonder, the Swiss Epic victory was a race yet missing in his impressive palmares. He stated: “I knew it was going to be a tough one. Luckily we went into the race very well prepared. It’s been an amazing week racing through my backyard. I can’t think of a better Epic partner than Lars. It makes a challenge like the Swiss Epic so much more enjoyable having a good buddy aside.”
“I knew it was going to be a tough one. Luckily we went into the race very well prepared. It’s been an amazing week racing through my backyard. I can’t think of a better Epic partner than Lars. It makes a challenge like the Swiss Epic so much more enjoyable having a good buddy aside.”

Nino Schurter
2020 Swiss – & Swiss Epic Champion
Olympic Champion, 8x World Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

The very well earned Champagne shower at the finish in Davos.
Also Lars Forster was in a great mood. No wonder. He made history. No team has won both the Cape Epic and the Swiss Epic in the same formation. His comment after he crossed the finish line: “This was a truly amazing event. As hard as it was, it was a great pleasure being guided by the one who knew the trails the best. It sure was a great advantage being local and therefore we did everything just perfectly throughout the whole week.”
“This was a truly amazing event. As hard as it was, it was a great pleasure being guided by the one who knew the trails the best. It sure was a great advantage being local and therefore we did everything just perfectly throughout the whole week.”

Lars Forster
2020 Swiss Epic Champion
2019 Cape Epic Champion
2019 World Cup Winner Snowshoe
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

Not for winning but for pleasure SCOTT-SRAM’s team manager Thomas Frischknecht participated with his former soignieur from the Team Ritchey days Urs Gerig. The SCOTT-SRAM Old Dudes raced in the Grand Masters category. They finished in a respectable 6th place in their class and 42nd overall.
Andri Frischknecht, originally planned to race the Swiss Epic with Matthias Stirnemann, but had to do a qualification race at the Swiss Cup to make the Swiss national team for worlds. He finished in a good 5th place behind the Flückiger brothers, Anton Cooper and Thomas Litscher.