This year's 5-day stage race in Graubünden once again offers a unique combination of spectacular circuits and challenging transition stages. On paper, 347 kilometers and 11,800 vertical meters in five days may seem quite short. But the intensity is high; the teams will not be able to take it easy on any of the stages. The stages ride through mountain forests, across alpine meadows and up into high alpine, rocky terrain of unique natural beauty. Steep climbs alternate with rough nature trails, perfectly laid out tracks with plenty of flow and rolling gravel paths across high plateaus. The reward is often kilometers of descents back into the valleys, the incomparable view of the Grisons Alpine panorama and the world-famous Grisons hospitality.

This year's race features a novelty: For the first time, the international field of participants will be stopping off in Valposchiavo. This means that the teams will not only be able to enjoy the world-class trails in St. Moritz and Davos, but will also explore the south of Graubünden on the second stage. With an altitude difference of 857 meters between St. Moritz and Valposchiavo, this year's race offers more downhill than uphill, which not only guarantees maximum fun, but could also play into the hands of the more technically experienced teams. A fact that trail scout Stefan Wolfisberg also confirms: "I expect the top teams to be closer together this year than in other years. The long climbs usually offer the strongest teams the opportunity to break away and pull out a clear lead. However, with fewer vertical meters and shorter climbs, the 2021 Swiss Epic will play to the strengths of the more technical riders. This will hopefully mean that the younger teams will be able to keep up with the more experienced elite teams until the end of the race."

Nonetheless, the Swiss Epic in Graubünden is and will remain a real test of endurance this year, as it is not considered a legendary race in the global Epic Series alongside The Pioneer in New Zealand and the Absa Cape Epic in South Africa for nothing. "The Swiss Epic 2021 remains a tough test for the numerous amateur riders who come to Graubünden," says Wolfisberg. "The cumulative vertical meters may be less than in previous years, but the short, steep climbs and the long but exciting descents require both endurance and skill."

After five days, it's done: mountain bikers have become finishers of the Swiss Epic in Graubünden. A handful of riders will receive the coveted Epic Legend medal at the finish line, which recognizes them for having successfully ridden the Absa Cape Epic, The Pioneer and the Swiss Epic to the end. Together, the teams have seen the most beautiful trails in the Alps - and for some of them, the journey continues in South Africa.

The stages in detail

Stage 1
St. Moritz - St. Moritz
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Distance: 64km
Altitude difference: 2'400m
Downhill: 2'400m
Aid stations: 19km, 42km & 54km

If you start from a Swiss Epic stage location in Graubünden, there is usually only one direction: uphill. This is also the case on the first day in St. Moritz, which gives the teams little time to warm up. After around 22 kilometers, the teams reach the natural reservoir Lej Alv, which is the highest point of the first stage. However, the teams are amply rewarded for their early efforts at the start of the third Swiss Epic in Graubünden: in addition to the breathtaking views at 2,550 meters above sea level, the Corviglia Flow Trail also awaits the teams. The 3.7-kilometre trail leads along the 1948 Olympic ski slope and guarantees endless fun with its flowing berms, hollows and waves.
The Corviglia Flow Trail is sure to excite the teams.

Stage 2
St. Moritz - Valposchiavo
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Distance: 72 km
Altitude difference: 2'450m
Downhill: 3'150m
Aid stations: 23km, 44km & 59km

The second stage of the Swiss Epic 2021 has a premiere in store: For the first time, the teams will make a stopover in Valposchiavo. From St. Moritz to near the northern Italian border, there are 72 kilometers to cover. As St. Moritz lies at an altitude of 1,822 meters and Valposchiavo at 965 meters, this stage is filled with descents, with the lion's share of the 3,150 Elevation loss coming after the ascent to the Bernina Pass. The technically more experienced teams should therefore have a slight advantage and possibly reach the finish in Le Prese a little earlier than the competition. From the idyllic Lago di Poschiavo, the teams will be transported back to St. Moritz by bus, where they can review the experiences of the second stage together with riders from all over the world.
The teams will also get to know Graubünden from its most beautiful side on the second stage.Stage 3
St. Moritz - Davos
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Distance: 79 km
Altitude difference: 2'350m
Downhill: 2'550m
Aid stations: 25km, 45km & 57km

The third day rides from St. Moritz to Davos. With 79 kilometers and 2,350 vertical metres, the transition stage is clearly the queen stage of the Swiss Epic 2021. With a brutal climb, it lives up to its name right at the start before the teams get their first breather on the Corviglia-Marguns Flow Trail. After comparatively relaxed kilometers with a detour into the picturesque Val Trupchun, a valley in the Swiss National Park, the teams can expect the biggest challenge of this year's race: a 15-kilometer climb from 1,600 to 2,606 meters above sea level and thus to the summit of the Scaletta Pass. The latter connects the Engadin with Davos and the Prättigau and will demand the last reserves of strength from the teams before they reach Davos via the Dürrboden Trail and the Dischma Valley.
The transition stage from St. Moritz to Davos is considered the queen stage of the 2021 Swiss Epic in Graubünden.Stage 4
Davos - Davos
Friday, August 20, 2021
Distance: 65 km
Altitude difference: 2,200m
Downhill: 2'220m
Aid stations: 26km, 44km & 52km

The second-last stage of the Swiss Epic 2021 makes mountain bikers' hearts beat faster: a 65-kilometre circuit through the singletrail paradise of Davos. Despite a total altitude difference of 2,200 meters, the teams won't be short of breath for once - at least not because of the altitude. At 1,726 meters above sea level, the highest point of the stage - at Wäschchrut - is within normal limits for Graubünden. Nonetheless, the stage will be no walk in the park: in addition to climbs up to the Wolfgang Pass and into the Sardasca Valley, the teams can also expect fast descents, with the Selfranga Trail in particular being a special highlight.
On the fourth stage, the teams will pass the beautiful Lake Davos twice.Stage 5
Davos - Davos
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Distance: 67 km
Altitude difference: 2'400m
Downhill: 2'400m
Aid stations: 25km, 40km & 56km

The final stage of the Swiss Epic in Graubünden 2021 will be something of a review of the alpine landscapes that were ridden through in the four days before. At the end of the race, the teams can once again look forward to trail fireworks. The route leads over the Junkerboden Trail to Davos Monstein and onto the Alps Epic Trail. This was awarded the IMBA Epic Trail title in 2014 and thus joined the illustrious circle of the best mountain bike trails in the world. After this delicacy, the teams reach Davos Wiesen via Zügenschlucht, from where, after a short descent, the last major challenge of the 2021 Swiss Epic awaits them in Graubünden: The ascent to the Bärentaler Alp at 2,032 meters above sea level. Now the teams have almost mastered the Swiss Epic adventure. The Bolgen Trail awaits on the way to the finish, which once again underlines the fact that Graubünden is the mountain bike hotspot of the Alps at the end of the race. Afterwards, the teams can celebrate their exceptional performance at the finish in Davos and proudly hang the Swiss Epic medal around their necks. For some of the teams, the journey will continue: As part of the global Epic Series, 15 qualification places are up for grabs for the legendary Absa Cape Epic in South Africa.
The final stage of the Swiss Epic 2021 in Graubünden will once again provide a real trail fireworks display in the singletrail paradise of Davos.swiss-epic.com
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