The Swiss Nino Schurter and Lars Forster won the Swiss Epic Graubünden multi-stage race. The Swiss also decided the last day and won four out of five stages. The Danish Annika Langvad and the American Haley Batten dominated the women's race; they won all five stages. The race through Graubünden took place under a strict corona protection concept. It was the first mountain bike event of international importance this summer.
At the end of the second Swiss Epic Grisons, Nino Schurter and Lars Forster (SCOTT-SRAM) once again demonstrated their dominance: In the first climb after the start, they took the lead and set a pace that only the Italians Fabian Rabensteiner/Samuele Porro (TREK Pirelli) could keep up. The Italians were able to follow until the last downhill run, but in the end the Swiss reached the finish line in Davos again with an advantage of 44 seconds.
In the final ranking, the Swiss are 10:32 minutes ahead of the Italians.
Czechs Kristian Hynek/ Martin Stošek (Future Cycling Northwave) defended third place. Apart from Schurter/Forster, they were the only team able to win a stage.
“A challenge and an adventure at the same time.”
Superstar Nino Schurter obviously enjoyed the five days in Grisons. “It was a pleasure to drive at home in Graubünden. I knew the trails of the first two days pretty well. Nevertheless, I also had the most trouble on the first day. The long ascents are a big change for us.”
The first two stages were also the hardest for Lars Forster. “The ascents were tough, but the panorama and the descents were a very nice reward. The week in Graubünden was both a challenge and an adventure.” Schurter highly praised his partner: “Lars has never shown any weakness — he is the best partner you could wish for.”
“Lots of drama” for women
With an advantage of more than half an hour, the leading women's team had started the final stage. Annika Langvad and Haley Batten (Specialized Racing) had already won the first four stages and anything but a fifth day victory would have been a surprise. “But the race isn't over until it's over,” the Danish woman had said on Friday.
She should be right: After 20 kilometers, she caught a creeping flat foot. The leaders lost a lot of time and had to temporarily relinquish the lead to the very strong driving Ariane Lüthi (Switzerland) and Alice Pirard (Belgium) (Andermatt Spur).
10 kilometers from the finish line - the overall leaders had regained the lead - Haley Batten also had a creeping flat foot. However, the dominators of the week were still able to crown the Swiss Epic Grisons adventure with their fifth stage victory.
“It was a lot of drama,” said winner Annika Langvad, summing up the last day. “Swiss Epic was fantastic. A great adventure!”
Comprehensive Covid-19 protection concept
The Covid-19 pandemic was also present at Swiss Epic Graubünden. As part of the protective measures, there was a comprehensive mask requirement, the teams had to travel the first 100 meters of each stage wearing masks and spectators were not allowed to mingle with the participants in the start and finish areas. The organizer had developed the protection concept together with the Canton of Grisons and the stage locations.
CEO Felix Eichenberger draws a positive conclusion: “The effort paid off. The athletes, supervisors and volunteers have complied very well with the regulations. The atmosphere among the teams was very good and everyone felt safe. Swiss Epic Graubünden has shown that large, international endurance competitions are possible under appropriate protection concepts.”
An impression confirmed by winner Haley Batten: “The protection concept was well thought out at every level and was followed through to the end. Even before the race, we knew what to expect and what was expected of us. This allowed us to compete with a sense of trust. Swiss Epic was excellent.”
The adventure continues in 2021
In terms of sport and tourism, the second Swiss Epic Graubünden could once again be considered a great success, said Reto Branschi, CEO of the destination Davos Klosters, who brought the race to Grisons. “Swiss Epic Graubünden is the biggest bike adventure in the Alps. Once again this year, it was challenging and extremely varied. Wherever I look, I only see satisfied participants.”
The multi-stage race will start in St. Moritz next summer. After a stage to Poschiavo, the lowest stage location in the history of Swiss Epic at just under 1,000 meters above sea level, the race then heads to Davos, where two more stages will be completed. Swiss Epic Graubünden 2021 will take place from August 17 to 21, 2021.
Final results
Swiss Epic Graubünden 2020
Laax - Arosa - Davos | 320 km | 12,250 m altitude difference
Final score (provisional) after 5 stages Men
- Nino Schurter/Lars Forster (SUI), SCOTT-SRAM - 15:13:44
- Fabian Rabensteiner/Samuele Porro (ITA), Trek-Pirelli 1 - + 10:32
- Kristian Hynek/ Martin Stosek (CZE), Future Cycling Northwave Team - + 16:46
- Andreas Seewald/Markus Kaufmann (GER), TEXPA-SIMPLON - + 33:07
- Martin Frey/Simon Schneller (GER), BULLS Youngsters - + 35:33
- Juri Ragnoli/Cristian Cominelli (ITA), SCOTT Italy - + 38:24
- Casey South/Noah Blöchlinger (SUI), BMC Fischer - + 39:35
- Urs Huber (SUI)/Simon Stiebjahn (GER), BULLS Heroes - + 48:34
- Fabian Giger (SUI)/Jan Vastl (CZE), Maloja Pushbiker's MTB Team - + 53:52
- Simone Avondetto/Davide Toneatti (ITA), Trek-Pirelli 3 - + 1:05:43
Women
- Annika Langvad (DEN)/Haley Batten (USA), Specialized - Racing - 19:08:09
- Stefanie Dohrn/Elisabeth Brandau (GER), Centurion-Vaude Radon - + 38:19
- Ariane Lüthi (SUI)/Alice Pirard (BEL), Andermatt Spur - + 45:27
- Nina Benz/Kim Ames (GER), JB Brunex Felt Factory Team - + 56:08
- Linda Indergand (SUI)/Karla Stepanova (CZE), Maloja Pushbikers MTB - + 1:03:31
- Sophie von Berswordt-Wallrabe/Jacqueline Schneebeli, jb BRUNEX Felt Factory Team 2 - + 1:35:09
- Corina Gantenbein/Hielke Elferink, Davos Klosters - + 2:24:11
- Vera Adrian/Zina Barhoumi, Scatta Ladies - + 2:58:29
- Alessia Nay/Franziska Brun, Liv Swiss/Cube Store Chur - + 4:53:43
Stage results and detailed results by categories: www.swiss-epic.com/results/
The following is a detailed final report in German and English.
Christian Gartmann is Communications and Media Officer at Swiss Epic Graubünden.