The Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide provided the perfect setting for the opening stage of the SPAR Swiss Epic 2023. The Swiss biking region, also known for hosting mountain bike world cups and world championships (cross-country and downhill), offered a mixture of challenging single tracks and enjoyable flow trails, and the weather also played along. The Canyon Northwave team with Martin Stosek (CZE) and Swiss rider Marc Stutzmann and the Elysator Efficient Infinity Insure team with Vera Looser (NAM) and Kim Le Court (MRI) used their strengths on the uphills to take an early lead in the race, proving their claim to the top step of the podium.

Leader teams also prevail on stage two

The second stage of the SPAR Swiss Epic 2023 took the 300 teams from Lenzerheide to St. Moritz. The route was characterized by the ascent to the Albula Pass, which, with its 2312 meters, was not only a crux on the elevation profile, but also in reality: both the winning men's and women's teams used it for their attacks. Martin Stošek and Marc Stutzmann from Canyon Northwave started their attack on the lower slopes and forest trails. Vera Looser and Kim Le Court from Elysator Efficient Infinity Insure stepped up the pace on the steepest asphalt section in the middle of the climb and rode out the decisive gap.

Wilier Pirelli shortens on the 3rd stage

The 3rd stage of the SPAR Swiss Epic 2023 rode through the trail paradise around St. Moritz, inspiring all riders, professionals and amateurs alike, with its flow trails and one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Engadin. The threat of heavy thunderstorms meant that the stage had to be shortened, as the highest peak, Munt da San Murezzan, was deemed too dangerous. As a result, the 2,680-metre summit and around 10 kilometers were removed from the route, but this only increased the intensity of this stage.

In the women's race, the Elysator Efficient Infinity Insure and Davos Klosters teams are in a class of their own. Adelheid Morath (GER) set the pace, while Vera Looser and Kim le Court kept up with Morath's teammate Bettina Janas. When the latter began to weaken, the two leaders pulled away and won with a lead of over six minutes. In the men's race, a puncture by Martin Stošek threw the overall leaders off their rhythm and gave Wout Alleman and Daniel Geismayr from the Willier-Pirelli team the advantage. The pair only teased out their reserves at the end and won by a good minute ahead of the leading duo Stošek/Stutzmann.

Crash drama on the queen stage

The 4th stage of the SPAR Swiss Epic 2023, which took all the teams from St. Moritz to Davos, was full of action and drama. Crashes and collisions caused unforeseen scenes at the finish. Torpado Bulls and Wilier Pirelli came out on top in the UCI women's race. Katazina Sosna and Irina Lützelschwab were the beneficiaries of a crash that brought down Adelheid Morath and Kim le Court in the UCI women's race. Daniel Geismayr and Wout Alleman once again prevailed over Martin Stošek and Marc Stutzmann after Geismayr and Stošek narrowly avoided a crash in the final third of the course.

Favorites bring home the victories

The SPAR Swiss Epic 2023 in Davos ended with stage 5 with overall winners who had also dominated the previous days and showed few weaknesses. Canyon Northwave, in the yellow CIOVITA UCI men's jerseys, and Elysator Efficient Infinity Insure, in the orange CIOVITA UCI women's jerseys, each won the stage and thus also secured the title in their categories. Martin Stošek and Marc Stutzmann once again used the climbs to prove that they are the strongest men's team in the race. Kim le Court dominated despite the pain resulting from the previous day's crash together with Vera Looser, finishing over six minutes ahead of the second women's team.

Full results