The third stage of the six-day Perskindol Swiss Epic mountain bike race rides over 61 kilometers and 3,000 vertical meters from Leukerbad to Grächen. It begins with a playful descent into the Rhone Valley, followed by a long ascent to the idyllic Moosalp. The panoramic view from there of the surrounding four-thousand-metre peaks - including the Dom, the highest mountain in the whole of Switzerland - is breathtaking. The challenging descent from Moosalp is long and leads across flower meadows and cow pastures, then in many hairpin bends over exposed steep slopes into the Mattertal valley. After a further ascent, the destination is reached at over 1,600 m above sea level in the picturesque and very unspoilt Valais mountain village of Grächen.

On this stage, the Stöckli-BiXS team defends its overall lead with another victory. Lukas Buchli and Mathias Flückiger, who were hardly mentioned as favorites in the run-up to the race, once again ignited the turbo in the final climb today, rode to the top and once again took the day's victory in around three and a half hours of riding. They relegated Team Centurion Vaude with Daniel Geismayr and Jochen Käss, who had led for a long time today, to second place on the day. Third place went to Lukas Flückiger and Ralph Näf from the BMC Mountain Bike Racing Team.

In the SWISS EPIC Women category, Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans from Team Specialized II once again defended their lead with a confident 4h 38min. Esther Süss and Hielke Elferink from Team Wheeler iXS and Team Mountain Heroes with Andrea Kuster and Kristin Aamodt complete the podium. In the mixed category, Michael Broderick and Mary Mcconneloug from the USA lead the way today. Milena Landtwing and Bärti Bucher remain at the top of the overall standings. In the Masters category, Reto Wysseier and Adrian Ruhstaller ride into Grächen in first place. In the Swiss Epic Flow race format, all previous leaders once again defended their lead.

Extremely motivated despite the effort
The race is still a lot of fun for the participants despite all the exertion. Milena Landtwing, overall leader of the Swiss Epic Mixed category, says: "Today's stage was extremely tough, especially the final climb. Many teams even had to push. But my team partner Bärti Bucher always spurs me on. I'm still highly motivated because I've never experienced a race adventure like the Perskindol Swiss Epic!"

Tomorrow's fourth stage of the Perskindol Swiss Epic is a circular course with start and finish in Grächen. It covers 74 kilometers and 3,333 meters of altitude difference. The first finishers are again expected around midday.

www.swissepic.com