The SCOTT-SRAM winning streak continues at the prestigious SWISS EPIC stage race. Andri Frischknecht and Matthias Stirnemann crown their season with the overall champion title in front of the Matterhorn.
Zermatt, Switzerland. Only two days after the super successful World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland offered the next mountain bike racing highlight- the SWISS EPIC. Just as last weekend, the win went again to SCOTT-SRAM. Andri Frischknecht and Matthias Stirnemann showed SCOTT-SRAM has more to offer than just the World Champion.
5 days- 322km- 12300 meters of climbing. The SWISS EPIC is as beautiful as it is tough.
Photography: Nick Muzik and Marius Maasewerd and Sportograf
Andri Frischknecht is looking back to a packed week of racing. 6 race days in different locations over 8 days. Finishing his first elite World Championships in 13th place was one thing, 48 hours later being at the start line of the 5 day stage race, the SWISS EPIC, including 12’300 meters of climbing was something totally different. Celebrating Nino’s World Champion title in between most likely didn’t speed up recovery… However, the switch from XCO racing to stage racing went quite smoothly, thanks to the SCOTt SRAM youngster’s incredible shape.
Andri Frischknecht had a packed week of racing with World Championships and SWISS EPIC
SCOTT-SRAM with Cape Epic winner Matthias Stirnemann and Frischi jun. sure were amongst the favourites and were likely the most experienced team at the 5th edition of the SWISS EPIC. Andri started in all 5 editions so far, Matthias can count on 3. First stage in Bettmeralp they were in the lead most of the race but on the last long climb had to let the win go to Fanger/Blöchlinger.
Day two was the preliminary race deciding stage. A flat tire almost ruined the day but with a third place stage finish SCOTT-SRAM took over the yellow leaders jersey.
Consistently in front but no stage wins for the first 3 days. Andri Frischknecht and Matthias Stirnemann riding to the overall lead at SWISS EPIC
Swiss marathon champion Kony Looser with partner Hansueli Stauffer were the ones to watch for the overall. But it appeared that Team USA with freshly crowned U23 Vice-World Champion Christopher Blevins riding with Keegan Swenson came on strong the second half of SWISSS EPIC. In a sprint finish Team USA snapped the stage win on day 3 ahead of SCOTT-SRAM. However, the Swiss extended their lead in the overall.
The SWISS EPIC offers demanding but incredibly beautiful trails trough the Swiss alps
Stage 4 was the breakthrough with the first stage win. Approaching the final destination Zermatt finally brought the well deserved victory. Together with Team USA the Swiss duo was in full control of the happening. The technical terrain and the awesome trails were in the favour of those two teams. The stage was again decided in a sprint finish.
Top: Approaching final destination Zermatt finally brought the first stage win for Frischknecht/Stirnemann
Bottom: Winning smile of Matthias Stirnemann with his contenders Keegan Svenson and Christopher Blevins
Famous spectator- the Matterhorn
Last stage with start and finish in Zermatt had one very famous spectator along the course. The Matterhorn. The stunning mountain watched SCOTT-SRAM to ride the overall win home safely. Not taking the risk they let the last stage win go to Team USA, but celebrated the overall champion title of the SWISS EPIC 2018 nonetheless.
Champagne please! Andri Frischknecht and Matthias Stirnemann celebrating a sweet victory
The two friends of the SCOTT-SRAM Team were excited to celebrate their biggest success of the season together. Matthias Stirnemann explains: “My season started with a win in South Africa but did not unfold the way I expected. Finishing off the season with such a success is wonderful.”
Andri Frischknecht had to add: “What a week! I’m exhausted now but all the suffering payed off greatly. This is mint!”
“My season started with a win in South Africa but did not unfold the way I expected. Finishing off the season with such a success is wonderful.”
“What a week! I’m exhausted now but all the suffering payed off greatly. This is mint!”
The season is almost over. This coming weekend the whole team including Nino Schurter is racing at the Swiss Cup Final in Lugano, Switzerland. Andri Frischknecht and Matthias Stirnemann will take the momentum to finish off the season with the Baja Epic in Mexico in October. For them it’s going to be the 3rd EPIC this year! Good luck!
Overall podium: Team BIXS with Konny Looser and Hansueli Staufer in 2nd- SCOTT-SRAM 1st- Team USA with Keegan Svenson and Christopher Blevins in 3rd
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