For the major annual events, Scott produces a bike with a special paint job for its flagship. A "new" bike size with corresponding geometry was even developed for the Olympic Games in London. After long tests, 650B was the best format for the exceptional biker; Schurter never got to grips with the larger 29-inch wheels. His height of 173 centimeters is certainly responsible for this. By way of comparison, the Olympic champion from London, Jaroslav Kulhavy, measures 187 centimetres and is therefore on a Twentyniner.

Schurter's Olympic bike from London. Above left, the "Torrero" front of Schurter's Twentyniner test bike

But what are Scott's plans for the course in Rio? The course is very similar to the one in London. In London, Schurter was on a hardtail. After the test event last October, interesting insights have certainly been incorporated into Scott's development. It is possible that Scott will develop a slimmed-down version of the Spark full-suspension bike, i.e. the rear suspension travel will be adapted to the route and reduced accordingly. A kind of softtail would also be possible, the comfort is massively increased with such bikes, the weight corresponds to that of a hardtail. The fact is that Schurter's hardtail bike, the Scott Scale 700, weighs 8.1 kilograms in its current racing configuration, while the full-suspension version, the Spark 700, weighs just under a kilogram more. Every gram saved will be important in the hunt for the Olympic title. Psychologically, a new bike will not only have an impact on Schurter himself. The "mind games" already begin in the run-up.

Schurter's current race bike in the world champion livery

The presentation of Nino Schurter's new Olympic bike will take place at the home World Cup in Lenzerheide on July 10, and it is quite possible that the top favorite for the Olympic title will already be riding the new development in the run-up to the event. The World Cup in Albstadt (May 22) would be an ideal terrain to test the bike in race mode.