Stage two of the Swiss Epic was al about finding your flow. While not strictly listed as a time trial, each team had their own start time high above Leukerbad.
The stage offered more metres of descent than climbing for both racing formats Epic and Flow, thanks to individual team starts at the Rinderhütte on 2313 m above sea level, departing straight into the Leukerbad Flow Trail.
On the short and fast stage Lukas Flückiger and Reto Indergand from the BMC Mountainbike Racing Team I took the men’s win again, however, only just 37 seconds ahead of Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann, SCOTT-ODLO MTB RACING TEAM, who therefore climb on 4th place in the overall ranking.
The Team CENTURION VAUDE with Daniel Geismayr and Jochen Käss became third today, but could defend the 2nd place in the overall ranking.
Swiss Epic women
The women’s race continues to be lead by XCM World Champion Jolanda Neff, with her team mate Alessandra Keller from the Stöckli Pro Team. The duo took the win again, strengthening their position at the top of the overall ranking.
Neff launches the Stocklie team from the start gate.
In the battle for second place today Esther Süss and Hielke Elferink, Team Wheeler / Rocky Mountain, were in front, with Ariane Kleinhans and Corina Gantenbein in 3rd – but they remain 2nd overall by 4 minutes.
Lis Osl and Anne Terpstra take off.
In the MIxed category, the overall lead hasn’t changed but the team of Matt Page and Sophie Hemming are marching up the rankings, after finishing 4th today. The long day tomorrow might let them gain back some more time after 3 flats took a toll in the prologue.
A stage fit for a queen
Tomorrow the race moves to Verbier, with 91km to travel and 3000m of climbing. It’s the longest stage of the race, and likely to suit the marathon specialists in the race.
SWISS EPIC Men: Today’s Podium
1. BMC Mountainbike Racing Team, Lukas Flückiger & Reto Indergand, 1h 41min
2. SCOTT-ODLO MTB RACING TEAM, Nino Schurter & Matthias Stirnemann, 1h 42min
3. CENTURION VAUDE, Daniel Geismayr & Jochen Käss, 1h 43min
SWISS EPIC Women: Today’s Podium
1. Stöckli Pro Team, Jolanda Neff & Alessandra Keller, 2h 08min
2. Wheeler / Rocky Mountain, Esther Süss & Hielke Elferink, 2h 12min
3. Team Spur Ötztal, Ariane Kleinhans & Corina Gantenbein, 2h 15min