In 2016, the Perskindol Swiss Epic is run in ‘reverse’. So while we are familiar with Verbier, thanks to the first two editions, and over 25 Grand Raids – it is normally associated with race starts – not finishes. But after Stage 3 arrived in Verbier yesterday, the final two stages use Verbier as the […]
Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann snare Swiss Epic stage
Every marathon stage race has a Queen stage, the longest, hardest stage in the race that offers an opportunity for some riders to show their class, and strikes fear into riders who are not sure of their preparation. Stage 3 was the Queen Stage at the Swiss Epic, as the race tackled 91km and 3000m […]
Swiss Epic teams get their flow on in Leukerbad
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 […]
BMC and Stockli teams extend at Swiss Epic
After one of the most impressive prologues in marathon stage racing, the Perskindol Swiss Epic rolled into stage 1 on 13th September, with riders embarking on a 90km route with 3000m of climbing on their way to Leukerbad. In the men’s category the BMC Mountainbike Racing Team I with Lukas Flückiger and Reto Indergand defended […]
Swiss teams lead the Swiss Epic after Prologue
There are marathon stage races around the world, but the Swiss Epic sits head, shoulders and torso above just about all of them. The combination of racing, trails, event logistics and service aren’t matched at any other race we have visited or competed in. And on Monday 12th September, the third edition of Perskindol Swiss Epic kicked […]
The Swiss Epic as a ready-made holiday
Imogen Smith explores the Swiss Epic and finds the mountain bike stage race and package holiday together at last. Stage racing is the perfect way to combine a massive mountain bike hit with an overseas experience but, until recently, roughing it and complex logistics have held many of us back from what might otherwise be the perfect […]
Snow Bike Festival stays in Gstaad
Today, the Snow Bike Festival has announced that it will stay in the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad. Switzerland is already one of the leading destinations for mountain biking. With events like the Swiss Epic, Grand Raid, National Park Bike Marathon, the Lenzerheide World Cup, and now the Engadin Bike Giro showcasing the best of […]
Tortour Cyclocross race captured by Winterberg
The inaugural Tortour Cyclocross race was a perfect start and a crowning finale of the cyclocross season: From 12 to 14 February 2016, almost 90 athletes from 10 different nations competed in the event in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, the first-ever multiday ultra cyclocross and gravel stage race in the world. The race was clearly dominated by Swiss riders. […]
Snow Bike Festival heads to Gstaad
The second edition of Europe’s first Snow Bike Festival will take place in Gstaad from January 22 –24, 2016 and will feature a 3 Day Stage Race, Eliminator Night Race, Fun Ride, Snow Bike Party & Fat Bike EXPO. Gstaad, Switzerland is becoming known as the destination of choice for fatbiking in Europe. The picture perfect […]
Tortour Cyclocross – the cyclocross stage race
It has just been announced that endurance racers have a new winter racing option. The Tortour Cyclocross is the first multi-day cyclocross and gravel stage race in the world and premieres in Schaffhausen from 12 to 14 February 2016, organised by TORTOUR GmbH. The new ultra-format covers a distance of 202 km and an elevation gain […]