Schurter/Forster and Lanhvad/Batten defend their overall leadership at Swiss Epic Graubünden

Nino Schurter and Lars Forster are still leading Graubünden after the second stage of the Swiss Epic multi-stage mountain bike race. On the way from Laax to Arosa, they finished second in the day. The Czechs Kristian Hynek/Martin Stosek became stage winners. In the women's race, Danish Annika Langvad and American Haley Batten won again and extended their lead to more than a quarter of an hour. Zurich woman Sina Frei, who was second-placed yesterday, had to give up injured after her falls yesterday.

With an intelligent race, Nino Schurter and Lars Forster (SCOTT-SRAM) secured second place on the 74-kilometer second stage from Laax to Arosa. As expected, they took the lead downhill at the start of the stage and were at times more than a minute ahead. “Unfortunately, no second team came along, so we didn't want to exert ourselves too much on the flat part towards Chur,” said Lars Forster at the finish line.

In the 15-kilometer climb to Arosa, the two Swiss were in the top group and only had to admit defeat to Czechs Kristian Hynek and Martin Stošek (Future Cycling Northwave). “We can't keep up with Nino and Lars on the downhill runs,” laughed day winner Kristian Hynek at the finish line. “But the climb is our terrain. We'll try to be on the podium in the end.” He and his team-mate Stošek are fourth overall.

Schurter and Forster lead 1:33 minutes ahead of Austrian Daniel Geismayr and German Ben Zwiehoff (Centurion Vaude) and 5:32 minutes ahead of Italians Fabian Rabensteiner/Samuele Porro (Trek-Pirelli).

Zurich-based Sina Frei was injured in two falls yesterday and yet finished second. She competed again, but had to give up after just a few kilometers. The winners of the first stage, Annika Langvad (DEN)/Haley Batten (USA) (Team Specialized - Racing), also won in Arosa and extended their lead to over 15 minutes.

“The trails in Grisons are technically and also difficult to ride due to the humidity,” said Annika Langvad. “But I get used to it better with every turn of the pedal.” The Germans Stefanie Dohrn/Elisabeth Brandau (Centurion-Vaude Radon) are now second, ahead of Swiss Ariane Lüthi/ Alice Pirard (Andermatt Spur) in third place overall.

Results August 2020

Overall result after 2 stages

Men

1. Nino Schurter/Lars Forster (SCOTT-SRAM) - 06:18:48
2. Daniel Geismayr/Ben Zwiehoff (Centurion Vaude) - + 1:33
3. Fabian Rabensteiner/Samuele Porro (Trek-Pirelli) - + 5:32
4. Kristian Hynek/ Martin Stosek (Future Cycling Northwave Team) - + 6:49
5. Urs Huber/Simon Stiebjahn (BULLS Heroes) - + 10:59
6. Martin Frey/Simon Schneller (BULLS Youngsters) - + 13:47
7. Andreas Seewald/Markus Kaufmann (TEXPA-SIMPLON) - + 18:08
8. Juri Ragnoli/Cristian Cominelli (SCOTT Italy) - + 19:43
9. Casey South/Noah Blöchlinger (BMC Fischer) - + 22:04
10. Fabian Giger/ Jan Vastl (Maloja Pushbiker's MTB Team) - + 23:19

Women

1. Annika Langvad/Haley Batten (Specialized - Racing) - 08:00:14
2. Stefanie Dohrn/Elisabeth Brandau (Centurion-Vaude Radon) - + 15:23
3. Ariane Lüthi/ Alice Pirard (Andermatt Spur) - + 18:41
4. Linda Indergand/Karla Stepanova (Maloja Pushbikers MTB) - + 22:58
5. Nina Benz/Kim Ames (JB Brunex Felt Factory Team) - + 24:46
6. Sophie von Berswordt-Wallrabe/Jacqueline Schneebeli (jb BRUNEX Felt Factory Team 2) - + 34:44
7. Corina Gantenbein/Hielke Elferink (Davos Klosters) - + 56:12
8. Charline Fragnière/Chrystelle Baumann (Welsche) - + 1:02:38
9. Vera Adrian/Zina Barhoumi (Scatta Ladies) - + 1:16:10
10. Alessia Nay/Franziska Brun (Liv Swiss/Cube Store Chur) - + 1:39:13

Stage results and detailed results by categories: www.swiss-epic.com/results/

The detailed race reports in German and English will be available from around 18:00 at: www.swiss-epic.com/en/news/

Christian Gartmann is the Communications and Media Officer of Swiss Epic Graubünden and its stages.