Swiss Epic Stage 5 - From Heroes to Zeroes.

My legs had suffered a lot the day before (stage 4 90kms and 3300meters of climbing) and we lost 11 minutes to our closest competitors (Giant Team Obwalden) in the mixed overall category . Though still with a 16 min lead and knowing the descents were going to be technical which seems to be our strength this week we were fairly confident that even with my tiring legs we had a good chance of holding the overall lead.

We had a stronger start (3 km straight up from the go) and got into a good position on the single track descent that followed. This descent went on for 10 kms or so and was so much fun. We had a flat section at the bottom before the second climb of the day which was steep. We were sat in second with Team WeBike from Denmark having their strongest stage out of sight up ahead. The Giant Obwalden Team passed us half way up the climb at around 27km. I couldn't hold their speed on the climb for long, at first they gradually pulled away and then they were gone. I did panic a bit as they were way out climbing us even with some pushing and towing from Mark but then realistically I worked out that there was not enough climbing in the last 33km for them to gain 16 mins on us. We dropped down and then faced another longer climb – this was a killer and I moaned most of the way up. At the top we then had a nice rocky descent which dropped onto a bit of fast fire road descent. I soon after had my mechanical that stopped our race dead. We walked a fair bit of the descent which was more traverse until we could jump on a fire road and Mark could give me a backy down to Zermatt with my bike over my shoulder. At the end we got lots of cheering and clapping possibly more than the winners ;-).

In the Mixed Webike took their first stage win in a fantastic time. Giant Obwalden came in second and won the overall race. The mixed race has chopped and changed all week, first with MTB Marathon who were leading for the first three days pulling out due to illness, Scott Mixed team also had to pull out for illness. The Giant team had mechanicals and then our DNF. That is stage racing for you. Really well done to all who finished, it has been mentally and physically a tough week of riding/racing.

Overall verdict on the Swiss Epic

Racing can bring you real highs and lows and at the moment it feels pretty low and leaves me questioning my ability on a MTB. So my best step now is to step out of my grey bubble and reflect on the experience of the Swiss Epic as a whole :-

The trails have lived beyond my expectations. It really is proper mountain biking with so much single track, technical trails and mountains. The route planner has obviously wanted to take you on the best trails. Even towards the end of the week when I have been feeling shattered I have been looking forward to seeing what the descents have to offer the next day. It has been very varied. And the views have been stunning.

We also really like the format of riders being sent off in stages. There are three start times in the Swiss Epic depending on your overall time with a 15 minute gap between them. This means when you get to the first bit of single track you can get a good run at it for the majority of time.

The atmosphere has been so friendly and the Swiss Flow really works well alongside the Swiss Epic. It was also great to See Matt Page and Stuart Spies finish third in the Swiss Flow mens race I know they fought hard for that.

The organisation has been outstanding. They have made it easy for every team. At the end of each stage there are people to clean your bike, Laundry is arranged,, there is pasta/rice, cake and drinks right at the finish which we can enjoy whilst relaxing in deck chairs watching the riders come in and chatting about the day's adventure. The feed stations are well stocked up with energy drinks and gels for when your own run out. Mechanics are on hand at the finish and on course. The three hotels we have stayed in have been so welcoming, the resorts are stunning and relaxing. Dinner and Breakfast is included in the package and each meal so far has been scrumptious, there has been no forcing down food because you know you need it.

We have enjoyed the race and ended up embracing it more than I was expecting, I am sure I told Mark it was all about fun. I have pushed myself hard every day and it has hurt. It has been proper challenging to race with the days being longer than I was expecting. The climbs have been very demanding on my legs and the descents have just been Wow, well worth all the climbing. It is really disappointing to try so hard and not finish though I really do hope to return and enjoy Swiss Epic again

Elite team results 

Sally Bigham and Adelheid Morath (Topeak Ergon Racing team) won the women's. Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans (Specialized RECM) came Second and Hielke Elferink and Anna (Rent a Planet -Habitat)


The men's Elite race has continued to be incredibly close. Team Bix Stocki won today 3 minutes ahead and after 6 tough days Team Bixs Stockli (Mathias Fluckiger and Lukas Buchli) took the Win for the second year. Vaude Centurion Daniel Geismayr and Jochen Kass finished second overall and Team Topeak Ergon Racing team ( Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek) finished third overall

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