![\"Luke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/luke-beuchat-aspect-ratio-99-99-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Luke Beuchat is an Escape Collective member and the creator\/developer behind the Escape Collective Fantasy Competition and app. He’s also a gun mountain biker<\/a>. We asked him to share his experience from\u00a0the recent Swiss Epic MTB race.<\/p>\n \u201cRiders, your race will start in 15 seconds. You are now in the hands of the starter. Your race will start with a gun shot.\u201d<\/p>\n The last time I heard these words was 10 years ago, on the flanks of Table Mountain in Cape Town. It was the prologue of the 2015 ABSA Cape Epic<\/a> MTB Race. For the benefit of those who may have somehow not heard of this race, the Cape Epic is the biggest marathon mountain bike race in the world. It’s an eight-day, eight-stage circumnavigation of South Africa\u2019s Western Cape region, crisscrossing rugged African bush and stunning landscapes. The unique feature of the race is that it’s open to both professional and amateur riders and all riders compete in teams of two.<\/p>\n But now, I stood over my bike in Davos, Switzerland, on the start line of the SPAR Swiss Epic<\/a>. It is the second largest race in the Epic Series which comprises a total of four MTB races across two continents. The Swiss Epic was founded by Swiss mountain bike legend Thomas Frischknecht<\/a> in 2014. Frischknecht had raced the Cape Epic numerous times and believed Switzerland had the terrain to create an \u201cEpic\u201d style race. History showed his belief to be correct when the Swiss Epic was folded into the global Epic Series in 2017.<\/p>\n Being in Davos, much was the same as in 2015 \u2013 same partner, Todd Sinclair from New Zealand; same slick and professional Epic Series delivery of the start line; same dynamic commentator\u2019s voice \u2013 motivational with a tinge of South African twang; same Epic DJ pumping out catchy tunes<\/a>; same level of hype and vibe; same huge contingent of pro riders from around the globe.<\/p>\n But much was also different. Very different. First and foremost, both Todd and I were 10 years older. When we raced the Cape Epic we were just entering middle age, in our early 40s. Now we were well and truly middle-aged! Our bodies would certainly not be bouncing back following each stage of serious race effort. Our bikes were very different \u2013 first and foremost we had dropper posts, probably the single greatest leap forward in mountain biking performance in recent times. I did the Cape Epic on a hard tail \u2013 don\u2019t ask \u2013 but now I was on a modern geo dualie, that weighed nearly the same as my hard tail!<\/p>\n One other critical point of difference \u2013 our goals. Ten years ago, it was all about the race, less about the experience. The laser focus at the Cape Epic 2015 was full-gas racing! The years had certainly mellowed our adrenalin, our desire to push deep into the hurt locker. Further, the cycling lifestyle has changed dramatically. The explosion in cycling tourism has been huge \u2013 groups of mates going on cycling-related trips to the iconic climbs of Europe and to the less-ridden roads of Southeast Asia. The growth of gravel has only accelerated cycling tourism.<\/p>\n For Todd and I the Swiss Epic looked, on paper, like we could combine both an exceptional riding experience with the small piece of the racing bug that no amount of years can remove. For me, there will be always something quite special about pinning on a race plate, standing on the chalked white line, then testing your mental and physical toughness against the elements and the like-minded riders beside you. Could the Swiss Epic provide both these experiences to us?<\/p>\n As the 15 seconds counted down it was clear to me, that despite the very similar Epic Series black and gold signage that adorned the start line, this was not South Africa. This was clearly the Swiss Alps \u2013 our start town of Davos lay in a deep valley surrounded by towering granite peaks, with pitches that screamed \u201cOuch\u201d! The streets that lead out of town were not asphalt but the iconic square cobblestones of Europe. The houses that lined the streets where straight off a postcard. The stark, vastness of South Africa could not be more different to the fairytale beauty of the Swiss Alps.<\/p>\n But we would soon discover the veil of tranquil mountain beauty belied what you should really expect from an Epic Series race \u2013 a pure mountain biking experience featuring brutal climbs matched with raw single track. And it would leave me with no doubt that the Swiss Epic, like the Cape Epic, was a true mental, physical and mountain biking test. In contemporary terms, this ain\u2019t no gravel race!<\/p>\n Stage 1: A wake-up call (78 km, 2,400 m)<\/p>\n The calm mountain air was shattered as the gun fired. We were off for stage 1. The Swiss Epic was real now \u2013 Todd and I were back racing at an Epic Series race.<\/p>\n As would become the trend for every stage, the first 1 km was neutralized as the bunch exited the mountain village. This was such a relief and such a contrast to what we had experienced at the Cape Epic where the first 15 minutes were full-gas 500-watt affairs, riding handlebar to handlebar on flat roads. The level of danger and anxiety are very high in such scenarios. In contrast, at the Swiss Epic, the 1 km neutralized zone meant the bunch would remain calm. And, invariably, the trail simply went up the mountain after the neutralized zone. This meant there was no risk of missing a split in the bunch.<\/p>\n Stage 1 was a wake-up call for Todd and I relative to what we had expected from the Swiss Epic routes. Of course, we expected long climbs with loose and steep pitches. We did not expect raw and technical single track. But stage 1 served up everything that any self-respecting singletrack connoisseur would have the great pleasure in riding and mastering!<\/p>\n We rode up steep fire trails, we flowed through smooth berms, we suffered on tarmac climbs, we careered down raw and untamed singletrack, we rolled through quaint mountain villages, we went through tunnels, we rode over debris from rock screes \u2026 the list goes on. We even passed with in meters of the stereotypical Swiss cows with giant bells<\/a>.<\/p>\n We rolled into the village of La Punt in the Engadin Valley about four hours after we had left Davos. It was a big day and we were close to broken but relatively happy with our efforts \u2013 fifth in our category of Grand Masters and 88th overall. As we all know, after a day of hard riding or racing everyone\u2019s fuse is a little shorter. But this is where the Swiss Epic \u201chappy rider\u201d system kicks in. It went like this:<\/p>\n Step 1: Drop bike to bike wash, not to be seen again until tomorrow. Step 4: Straight on to a shuttle bus for the 15-minute ride to our hotel. It all went like clockwork. After all, as it should have been obvious to me, this is Switzerland<\/a>! <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Result Comparisons – Stage 1<\/p>\n TeamRidersOverallTime<\/p>\n The Pros<\/p>\n Fabian Rabensteiner \/ Casey South<\/p>\n 1st<\/p>\n 3:19:00<\/p>\n Masters Legends<\/p>\n Karl Platt \/ Calle Friberg<\/p>\n 40th<\/p>\n 3:51:39<\/p>\n Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Dani Schnider \/ Oliver Imfeld<\/p>\n 65th<\/p>\n 4:12:27<\/p>\n Escape Collective<\/p>\n Luke \/ Todd<\/p>\n 88th<\/p>\n 4:28:04<\/p>\n Great Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Bucher B\u00e4rti \/ Peter Vesel<\/p>\n 95th<\/p>\n 4:34:18<\/p>\n Last in Grand Masters<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 7:59:08<\/p>\n The 5:45am alarm welcomed Todd and I to stage 2. Although we had 78 km and 2,000 meters of climbing in our legs from yesterday\u2019s Queen Stage and we were both still suffering from serious jetlag we were well and truly already awake. So, in a cruel kind of way, the alarm was welcoming.<\/p>\n After four espresso shots and a very Euro breakfast of dried meats, boiled eggs, and croissants with wild berry jam, we were kitted up and on the shuttle bus heading to the race village in La Punt. Just like clockwork, again. There was a lot of banter on the bus about the \u201crenowned\u201d Olympia Flow Trail<\/a>. It certainly sounded like an impressive piece of track but so many \u201cflow\u201d trails these days can be so overhyped. I was looking forward to riding it myself and forming my own objective view.<\/p>\n After another barista-made coffee provided free to riders at the race village, we were in our start batch known as B Bunch. All Epic Races have a similar setup \u2013 batches of 20 or so teams are grouped together based on their current GC time, irrespective of any current UCI ranking. This creates both a pecking order and camaraderie, which adds to the unique experience of the race. It also means you have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the former greats of MTB Stage racing \u2013 Karl Platt<\/a>, B\u00e4rti Bucher<\/a>, Dani Schnider<\/a> were all there today. The former two riders Todd and I had raced with at the Cape Epic 10 years ago! Platt was probably 10 years younger than us and Bucher 10 years our senior. This illustrates the simple beauty of bike riding across lifespans.<\/p>\n Straight off the gun it was 1,000 vertical meters in the space of 20 km. One segment of the climb rose 750 m in 8 km \u2013 an average close to 10%! We survived this in good shape and with enough energy to hit the Olympia Flow Trail. Falling nearly 500 meters and comprising over 50 professionally built and manicured berms it winds its way down through some very interesting and changing features of the mountain side. It was certainly the highlight of today\u2019s stage and I can now objectively say that the adjective \u201crenowned\u201d is appropriate for this trail.<\/p>\n Huge smiles were across our faces as we exited Olympia. Unfortunately, there was still a task at hand \u2013 30 km to go in stage 2! We put our heads down, race faces on, and focused on the finish line. \u201cLuckily\u201d we were caught by the Great Grand Masters leaders \u2013 who are legends of the sport \u2013 B\u00e4rti Bucher and Peter Vesel. We rode with them all the way to the end of stage 2 in La Punt \u2013 through dense pine forests with old-school single track, beside frigid glacier rivers and along gravel paths busy with European holiday-makers.<\/p>\n After an epic day out, we finished fifth in the Grand Masters category and 83rd overall. The feeling of finishing a bike race like this, especially in such incredible surroundings and vistas will never, ever get dull!<\/p>\n Over another banquet, heavy with delicious pesto pasta and slow-cooked lamb, Todd shared an interesting anecdote. Ten years ago, at the Cape Epic, when we raced against Bucher and Vesel, we quipped to each other just how incredible these guys were racing in their 50s. And here we were, now in our 50s and trying to race just as hard, and there B\u00e4rti and Peter were, still racing in their 60s. Just goes to show that age is, in part, a mindset!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Result Comparisons – Stage 2<\/p>\n TeamRidersOverallTime<\/p>\n The Pros<\/p>\n Fabian Rabensteiner \/ Casey South<\/p>\n 2nd<\/p>\n 2:40:25<\/p>\n Masters Legends<\/p>\n Karl Platt \/ Calle Friberg<\/p>\n 41st<\/p>\n 3:10:24<\/p>\n Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Dani Schnider \/ Oliver Imfeld<\/p>\n 61st<\/p>\n 3:22:46<\/p>\n Escape Collective<\/p>\n Luke \/ Todd<\/p>\n 83rd<\/p>\n 3:39:17<\/p>\n Great Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Bucher B\u00e4rti \/ Peter Vesel<\/p>\n 82nd<\/p>\n 3:39:16<\/p>\n Last in Grand Masters<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 6:19:55<\/p>\n Stage 3 was time trial day at the Swiss Epic \u2013 the first time this format has been used in the 11-year history of the race. The time trial format was unique into two respects: unlike road time trials which run in reverse GC order, the difficulty of passing riders on singletrack meant the start order was as per current GC rank. Secondly, there was more descent than ascent. I think this had all riders smiling!<\/p>\n We were bussed up to the start point, just below the snow line on the Bernina Pass<\/a> \u2013 2,300 meters above sea level. The startline had a very pro setup with a proper time trial start ramp \u2013 the only thing missing were skinsuits and weird-shaped time trial helmets.<\/p>\n As we were starting in GC order with 20 seconds intervals between teams it meant we would be starting one minute behind our direct rivals in the Grand Masters category \u2013 Team FVG. They were currently in third position, one place ahead of us, but two places ahead on overall GC.<\/p>\n The first 8 km were largely flat along a very rocky doubletrack that circumnavigated a pristine alpine lake. We went full gas and managed to catch Team FVG just as we hit an incredible piece of singletrack that wound its way through dense pines. We sat on their wheels for a bit but unfortunately (or fortunately for us) one of them had a mechanical and had to pull over briefly.<\/p>\n The opportunity of getting on the podium in the Swiss Epic, probably the second-biggest MTB race in the world, after the Cape Epic, was presented to us. There was no looking back \u2013 we put our heads down and drilled it. Despite the extreme pain in our legs over the course of the next two hours of racing it was another incredible stage. The variability of riding was again the highlight \u2013 fun singletrack, raw off-road trails, punchy pinches, loose gravel descents, and a fast, flat finish. Team FVG did not catch us so we secured third place (74th overall) and hence a call-up to the stage podium.<\/p>\n If was such a satisfying and emotional feeling to finally get on the podium at one of the pinnacle events of worldwide MTB racing. And even more so because of the company on the podium with us \u2013 it read like the who\u2019s who of former pro bike racers. The biggest name was probably Dani Schnider \u2013 a former road superstar. He raced in all three Grand Tours and was Swiss road champion in 2003. And with his teammate Oliver Imfeld they have won the most Swiss Epics \u2013 five editions.<\/p>\n I think I can now \u201cretire\u201d from MTB racing and feel accomplished after making an Epic Series podium.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Result Comparisons – Stage 3<\/p>\n TeamRidersOverallTime<\/p>\n The Pros<\/p>\n Fabian Rabensteiner \/ Casey South<\/p>\n 1st<\/p>\n 1:57:15<\/p>\n Masters Legends<\/p>\n Karl Platt \/ Calle Friberg<\/p>\n 35th<\/p>\n 2:16:12<\/p>\n Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Dani Schnider \/ Oliver Imfeld<\/p>\n 50th<\/p>\n 2:23:33<\/p>\n Escape Collective<\/p>\n Luke \/ Todd<\/p>\n 74th<\/p>\n 2:33:24<\/p>\n Great Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Bucher B\u00e4rti \/ Peter Vesel<\/p>\n 75th<\/p>\n 2:33:54<\/p>\n Last in Grand Masters<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 4:09:34<\/p>\n Before I had even arrived in Switzerland for the Swiss Epic, I had put an asterisk against the profile of stage 4. It was obvious it was going to be one of the most iconic and memorable stages as it would take riders over the infamous Scaletta Pass<\/a>. This tops out at 2,606 m and is the highest off-road rideable mountain pass in Europe.<\/p>\n Watching the rider briefing for stage 4 provided us with an insight into the climb to Scaletta Pass \u2013 not only is it brutally long at 12 km, but the last 4 km is on narrow singletrack that is rocky and loose and rises 600 m with an average gradient of 15%. Doing this on a smooth road would be brutal; on an MTB it sounds murderous. And then potentially in the midst of a mountain storm \u2026<\/p>\n On the startline the Swiss Epic Race Crew announced that the stage had been shortened by 10 km as serious thunderstorms were expected in the early afternoon. There were certainly no complaints.<\/p>\n Todd and I got off to a solid start and stuck with our bunch through foothills and singletrack en-route to the main event \u2013 the Scaletta Pass. The first 8 km of the climb are on gravel and had some very lengthy, steep pitches. We did not blow up but we were well and truly down to granny gears. And during this part of the climb the storm front began to hit. We got drenched to the bone.<\/p>\n The rained paused just as we reached the foot of the last 4 km of the climb \u2013 this was the singletrack section and by far the most difficult part. We could see a smattering of riders winding their way into the misty clouds above \u2013 destination Scaletta Pass. Brutal is a very strong word but even this is not enough to encapsulate it. For us, survival mode was in play. Through a mix of granny gears, hike-a-bike, and sheer willpower we made it to the top.<\/p>\n Just as we arrived, the storm hit and the Swiss Epic Race Crew paused the race \u2013 all riders were told to shelter in the mountain hut, just below the peak. It certainly was high drama. Sheltering with about 50 other riders in a very typical rustic Swiss mountain hut while a storm raged was certainly a unique mid-race experience!<\/p>\n The storm passed over relatively quickly but the drizzle and super cold temperatures still prevailed. Riders were given the option to either wait for the rain to abate or brave the elements. As we had not packed any rain jackets, Todd and I decided we just needed to get out of there so decided to risk it.<\/p>\n To our surprise, the descent off the top was actually pretty fun \u2013 it was rocky and loose \u2013 but the gradient was mellow so you could easily manage your speed and lines. And the muddy conditions on the lower slopes made for some fun riding. We descended for a continuous 20 km into the valley of Davos.<\/p>\n From drizzle and temperatures less than 10 \u00baC (50 \u00baF) we reached the valley floor where it was warm and sunny! We were caked head to toe in mud \u2013 the only recognizable features were the smiles on our faces from the fun descent and relief of surviving a truly memorable stage. And more so, an unforgettable mountain bike experience. Best of all, we managed to finish third on the stage again, 56th overall \u2013 some sweet icing on a very memorable stage.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Result Comparisons – Stage 4<\/p>\n TeamRidersOverallTime<\/p>\n The Pros<\/p>\n Fabian Rabensteiner \/ Casey South<\/p>\n 2nd<\/p>\n 2:19:30<\/p>\n Masters Legends<\/p>\n Karl Platt \/ Calle Friberg<\/p>\n 34th<\/p>\n 2:41:02<\/p>\n Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Dani Schnider \/ Oliver Imfeld<\/p>\n 40th<\/p>\n 2:41:34<\/p>\n Escape Collective<\/p>\n Luke \/ Todd<\/p>\n 56th<\/p>\n 2:45:05<\/p>\n Great Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Bucher B\u00e4rti \/ Peter Vesel<\/p>\n 75th<\/p>\n 2:49:19<\/p>\n Last in Grand Masters<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 3:25:54<\/p>\n On paper, stage 5 looked straightforward \u2013 essentially are large loop around Davos of only 49 km. However, on closer analysis of the profile it was clear it was more like a Classics stage! Lots of undulations, lots of rolling hills, and off the startline it rose nearly 1,000 m in 8 km! It was not going to be an easy final day at the Swiss Epic.<\/p>\n Going into stage 5 Todd and I were lying in fourth on the overall GC, just 56 seconds behind Team FVG from Italy. Todd and I agreed that getting on the overall GC podium for an Epic Series event would be an incredible achievement. It seemed achievable.<\/p>\n The problem we faced was that the start bunches are formed based on the following rule \u2013 the top 15 teams on GC (excluding the pro UCI teams) and the top 3 in all categories go to A Bunch, the next 20 teams on GC go into B Bunch and so on. We were just outside the top 15 and we were also just outside the top 3 in Grand Masters. This meant Team FVG started in A bunch, five minutes ahead of us. So, without some form of \u201crace radio\u201d we would be flying blind for the entire 49 km.<\/p>\n As I tossed and turned in the early hours of Sunday I came up with a cunning plan<\/a>. As all riders are given GPS devices for safety reasons and for livetracking of results, and as Todd could receive WhatsApp messages direct into his Garmin headset if we would get someone to watch the live race feed and send through updates, then we would know our position against Team FVG. Todd\u2019s wife, Tania, was more than willing to help with the execution of the makeshift \u201cRace Radio.\u201d<\/p>\n Stage 5 opened with brutal climb from Davos at 1,500 m all the way up to the Panorama Trail<\/a> at 2,321 m \u2013 nearly 900 m vertical over 8 km \u2013 11% average gradient. By the top the climb we were up by 60 seconds. Off the top we hit the Panorama Trail \u2013 a beautiful piece of track that followed the contour of the mountain and offered spectacular views of the valley below \u2026 except we were racing!<\/p>\n From here it was an extremely fast descent into the first water point at the 18 km. We got an update here from Tania that we were 56 seconds up. So, tracking well but still a long way to go. There was more technical and muddy descending all the way to the valley floor and we were still up by 45 seconds. Then we hit the true brutality of stage 5 \u2013 two monster climbs up from Klosters and then up the infamous Wolfgang Climb. These dragged on for an eternity.<\/p>\n After four days of intense racing my body finally began to toil. I had to take a tow from Todd up the Wolfgang Climb. When it comes to pairs racing you really need to swallow your pride and accept that a team is only a fast as the slowest link. So, if you want to go faster you need to work together. The tow certainly helped but Team FVG climbed better than us up Wolfgang and at 44 km we were now down 39 seconds with 5 km to go.<\/p>\n We pinned it as hard as we could through the last pieces of gravel and singletrack but we could not pull any time back, so Team FVG pipped us on the day by 39 seconds and hence held on to third on the general classification.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Result Comparisons – Stage 5<\/p>\n TeamRidersOverallTime<\/p>\n The Pros<\/p>\n Fabian Rabensteiner \/ Casey South<\/p>\n 3rd<\/p>\n 2:28:10<\/p>\n Masters Legends<\/p>\n Karl Platt \/ Calle Friberg<\/p>\n 34th<\/p>\n 2:55:21<\/p>\n Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Dani Schnider \/ Oliver Imfeld<\/p>\n 45th<\/p>\n 3:07:10<\/p>\n Escape Collective<\/p>\n Luke \/ Todd<\/p>\n 73rd<\/p>\n 3:30:51<\/p>\n Great Grand Masters Legends<\/p>\n Bucher B\u00e4rti \/ Peter Vesel<\/p>\n 82nd<\/p>\n 3:33:04<\/p>\n Last in Grand Masters<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 5:58:49<\/p>\n Crossing the final finish line at the end of stage 5, back where we had started in Davos, I was far more emotional than I had ever expected. The high and lows of every day, the joys of the flowing, technical and raw singletrack, the brutality of the big climbs, the tight racing where seconds matter, putting life and limb on the line crescendo-ing down loose gravel and rocky trails, overwhelmed me. But then I was also not surprised. I had been through a similar set of emotions when I finished the Cape Epic. Events and experiences like the Swiss Epic take you far outside your comfort zone, far outside the realms of the everyday. By design, these situations, these experiences, drive deep human emotions. And this is the exact reason why we do them.<\/p>\n The catch phrase of the Swiss Epic is #ConquerTheAlps<\/a>. I think, literally speaking, given we made it to the finish line on stage 5 in one piece, still riding as a team and still riding as mates, we could say we accomplished this goal. Metaphorically though, you will never conquer something as majestic, as immense, as extreme as the Swiss Alps.<\/p>\n This is the point really. This is what draws you back to places such as the Swiss Alps \u2013 there is always that something that still needs to be achieved, to be discovered, to push beyond boundaries that you previously thought were fixed. The SPAR Swiss Epic provides a scaffold over the Swiss Alps through which you can build new experiences, spiritually and physically.<\/p>\n To finish, let me answer the question that is always asked: would you do it again? I can genuinely answer this with “yes” \u2013 the Swiss Epic delivered to me 1,000 stories that touched all parts of my emotional being. And, at the same time, it allowed me to ride my mountain bike in parts of the Alps I would never had discovered alone. Yet, I am not so na\u00efve to realise that there are, no doubt, another 1,000 stories to uncover when next I strive to #ConquerTheAlps.<\/p>\n The next SPAR Swiss Epic with take place in Davos from August 19-26, 2026. Special thanks to James from Ciovita<\/a> who kitted us out in superb Escape Collective race kit. View the collab here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Disclosure: The Escape Collective Team was provided with a media race entry to the SPAR Swiss Epic 2025.<\/p>\n Did we do a good job with this story?<\/p>\n \n \ud83d\udc4dYep![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Luke-Todd-EC-Kit-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"10](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Bikes-Hard-Tail-vs-Dualie.jpg\")
10 years of marathon mountain bike evolution<\/p>\n![\"Bernina](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250815_064846_538778708_socialmedia.jpg\")
Bernina Glacier, 2,477 metres above the town of Pontresina.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Ams-Mike-and-Brad-Stage-1.jpg\")
The technical, rocky descent down from the Albula Pass.<\/p>\n![\"Stage](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SE25_Stage1_Best_SamClark_4771.jpeg\")
Stage 1 featured ancient tunnels on a fast gravel road.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Inhale a protein- and carb-dense lunch of chicken and rice. With dessert!
Step 3: Free recovery chocolate milk drinks from the SPAR popup.
Step 3a: Optional free beer.<\/p>\n![\"Free](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Food-Engadine-Brewery.jpg\")
Free beer for the riders!<\/p>\n
Step 5: Check in to the beautiful Saratz Hotel<\/a> complete with indoor pool, spa, sauna and steam room.
Step 6: Spend the rest of a beautiful mountain afternoon recovering, eating, and sharing stories about stage 1.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250814_063557_538753757_socialmedia.jpg\")
Stage 2: Olympia Flow with a bit of North Shore (61 km, 1,950 m) <\/p>\n![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250814_110149_538759949_socialmedia.jpg\")
Some North Shore berms on the Olympia Flow Trail.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250814_101238_538778704_socialmedia.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250814_101555_538778705_socialmedia.jpg\")
Stage 3 \u2013 Down Country Time Trial (55 km, 1,200 m climbing, 1,800 m descending)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250815_093200_538761274_socialmedia.jpg\")
The very pro time trial launch ramp at 2,300 m!<\/p>\n![\"Time](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14275_20250815_094311_538764733_socialmedia.jpg\")
Time trial mode just below the Bernina Glacier.<\/p>\n![\"So](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Stage-3-Podium-Luke-Todd.jpg\")
So satisfying to crack the podium in an Epic Series race.Stage 4 \u2013 Mountain storm mud fest (53 km, 1,900 m)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/UCI-Yellow-Jersey-leaving-start-line.jpg\")
The UCI bunch departing La Punt en route to the Scaletta Pass.<\/p>\n![\"Todd](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Todd-Sinclair-Swiss-Epic-2-1.jpg\")
Todd climbing to the highest rideable pass in Switzerland.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Waiting-For-Storm-at-Top-of-Scarletta-Pass.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/UCI-Racing-to-Finish-Line.jpg\")
Stage 5 \u2013 Boys Own \u201cRace Radio\u201d (49 km, 2,000 m)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Stage-5-Race-Radio-R.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Panorama](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Panaroma-Trail.jpg\")
Panorama Trail, Davos.<\/p>\n![\"Swiss](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Luke-Todd-Podium-Stage-5-3.jpg\")
Swiss Epic done and a podium on the final stage – smiles all round.Conquering the Alps?<\/p>\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Social-Panaroma-Trail-2.jpg\")
Every trail has a 1,000 stories … then 1,000 more.<\/p>\n
\n \ud83d\udc4eNope\n <\/p>\n