Swiss Cyclo Cross Champion

Lars Forster starts 2020 with a boom! Just like he finished 2019, he swept the first big victory for SCOTT-SRAM in the new decade.

Baden, Switzerland. The multi discipline talent Lars Forster rides in a tight battle to his 3rd pro national cyclo-cross champion title. A successfull season kick-off and just the beginning in this important year and new decade.

With the successful start into the 2020 season, it seems this is about to become a big one. That being said, SCOTT-SRAM would like to provide an outlook about the goals for 2020, upcoming challenges and new partners on board supporting the team in the coming season.

Swiss CX Nationals
Photography: Maxime Schmid

With Lars Forster and Andri Frischknecht SCOTT-SRAM had two good chances in the race. Frischi junior set a high pace in the first 3 laps. It was perhaps a bit too high as we would find out the hard way. When Lars took over the lead half way through only defending Swiss champion Timo Rüegg was able to follow. With two laps to go Andri took himself out of the medal chance with a crash. However, it was obvious the 2020 title would go either to Forster or Rüegg. The more experienced Lars Forster ultimately decided the race in the very last lap and crowned himself with his 10th Swiss champion title (in all categories).

“I always had a big love for cyclo-cross. That’s where my roots are. Winning my 3rd national pro title makes me proud and gives me wings for what’s on the plate this year. Can’t ask for a better start into the new season. Next big goal is to defend the Cape Epic title with Nino !”

Lars Forster, SCOTT-SRAM
Swiss National Champion Cyclo-Cross
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

From left to right: Kevin Kuhn – Lars Forster- Dario Lillo

SCOTT had an outstanding day at Swiss nationals winning all three titles in the mens category. The U23 World Cup Champion Kevin Kuhn secured the win in the U23 and Dario Lillo took gold in the juniors category. Both ride for the SCOTT Development Team. Andri Frischknecht finished 5th. Both Lars and Andri are already on their way to Gran Canaria for a training camp with the Swiss National Team.

The winners SCOTT ADDICT CX RC

The SCOTT ADDICT CX RC is equipped with SRAM Force 42/10-33 – DT Swiss CRC Spline tubular carbon wheels- SYNCROS bar, stem, saddle, seat post – HT M1 pedals and Dugast tubulars.

Season goals

World Cup Finals Snow Shoe
Photography: Sven Martin

With the 2020 season on it’s way it’s time to define goals for the season. Its needless to say where the focus sits in an Olympic year. However, on the way to Tokyo there are true highlights coming up in the schedule. With Nino and Kate already ticketed at the counter for Tokyo, Lars and Andri will be aiming for the chance to qualify at the Nove Mesto World Cup.

The MTB season itlself kicks off with the Sunshine Epic in Cypress. Kate Courtney will pair up with SCOTT rider Erin Huck while former SCOTT-SRAM rider Matthias Stirnemann joins team with Andri Frischknecht.
The first big highlight of the season will be the untamed Cape Epic in South Africa. Nino Schurter and Lars Forster are aiming to defend their title from 2019. As a second squad for the overall, Andri Frischknecht will team up with Matthias Stirnemann. With Severin Disch and Florian there is even a 3rd team at the starting line backing up their teammates.

First highlight of the season: the untamed Cape Epic

After the World Cup start in May the focus will be on the early World Championships in Albstadt, Germany by the end of June. From then on it’s all about the Olympics. But the season is not over after Tokyo. With still four World Cups to go the overall will be decided in the second part of the season. Be sure to get enough excitement for this year to come!

Nino Schurter

“Being Olympic Champion , World Champion, World Cup Champion, Cape Epic Champion and Swiss Champion I have a hell of a lot of titles to defend in 2020. Most likely I can’t keep them all, but I’m more motivated than ever to fight like a lion to retain my No.1 status in this sport. With my experience and focus I’m optimistic to still be able to hold against the younger generation of riders. “

Nino Schurter
Olympic & 8x World Champion
7x World Cup Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

Kate Courtney

“In 2019, I joined the SCOTT-SRAM family and had an incredible year of learning from the best while seeking the top step of the podium myself. With my position in Tokyo secured, this season will be focused around the process of making it to the Olympic Games ready to compete at the highest level. There are many big and small goals on the trail to Tokyo and I look forward to racing alongside my teammates and working with our incredible staff to get the most out of each and every one of us. Lets make it a 2020 to remember!”

Kate Courtney
2019 UCI World Cup Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

Andri Frischknecht

“I really look forward to ride the Sunshine Epic and Cape Epic with my friend Matthias Stirnemann. After the stage races my full focus will be on the World Cup start and the World Championships. And who knows what’s next? I believe in my chance to reach the next level in 2020.”

Andri Frischknecht
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

New partners

The 2020 season brings not only new expectations, but new partners supporting the team in achieving the ambitious goals. 2020 the team will ride on HT Components pedals. The very reliable race pedal is one of the lightest on the market and is known for it’s great power transfer.

HT Components pedal M1

Also new to the SCOTT-SRAM team is revolutionary indoor training/racing partner, ZWIFT. ZWIFT merges the fun of video gaming with the intensity of serious training. A great indoor alternative especially in times outdoor training conditions are not ideal. You can choose from training plans, group rides, races, and more. A fun way to get some quality exercise in the books.