If you've ever wondered why you've never seen the Flumserberg bike team together at a race, let me tell you: they're far too modest for that. Until now, Katja and Renéhave always resisted being perceived as the "couple of the mountain bike scene". Instead, both have pursued their own projects.

Katja, the former successful cross-country rider, gave up her racing career ten years ago and hasn't taken part in a single race since. She was all the more active with the Trek Gravity Girls and completed a bachelor's degree in business administration on the side. René, also known as the "fastest mountain farmer in the Alps", has always been and still is omnipresent in the Enduro World Series in addition to countless successes in long-distance downhill races.

So why are they now taking part in the Perskindol Swiss Epic - the multi-day mountain bike stage race that will be held for the first time in September? Katja says: "This race is a unique opportunity for us. I can spend a whole week practicing the sport that Renéand I love so much and we can spend time together - we haven't had many hours together this year. That and the fact that I've always loved riding in Zermatt is an incredible motivation."

For once, it's not the victory that counts. On the contrary: this time, the journey and the experience are the goal. The route offers numerous sights and nature experiences and ends with a view of the Matterhorn.The multi-day stage race starts in Verbier at 1,500 meters above sea level. Two race formats are on offer: the SWISS EPIC with 400 km and 15,000 meters of altitude and the SWISS EPIC FLOW with 300 km and 8,000 meters of altitude, in which Wildhaber and Rupf start. Over 300 teams of two will ride in various categories from Verbier via Leukerbad and Grächen to Zermatt.

Rupf and Wildhaber will be competing in the Swiss Epic Flow Mixed category under the name WBR. This stands for "World Bicycle Relief", a charitable organization that uses the bicycle as a development aid factor worldwide. "We will be raising money for this organization by auctioning off something every evening."

www.de.worldbicyclerelief.org