The starting signal for the fourth stage to Grächen is given at 07:30 in Leukerbad. Balz's motivation for the upcoming stage is not exactly great. He is suffering from severe back pain, which is now also affecting his buttocks and legs. It's almost impossible to keep up, but the joy suddenly increases as soon as Philipp and Balz set off on the first descent. Philipp is amused every time Balz says: "Hey, this time we'll take it easy on the descent!" Nothing ever comes of it. As a result, there are several overtaking maneuvers every day.

Once they reach the bottom of the valley, the Ride Swiss Epic team is "eaten up" again by those they overtake. Balz's legs weren't really cooperating today, so the pace was greatly reduced. Shortly before the main ascent with 1,500 meters of altitude, he complains of severe back, leg and buttock pain - the thought of giving up the race is now very close. "At this point, I couldn't explain how I could still manage it. I'd never experienced anything like it during my entire time as a top athlete," says Balz, looking back on this moment.Descending and giving up is not an option. They only want to do that in Zermatt when the big adventure is over. So Philipp and Balz tackle the ascent despite the pain. After just 300 meters of ascent, they both have to get off their bikes and take a short stretching break, as Philipp is now also complaining of pain - just like the day before in his hip. Without thinking about how to continue, the ride team picked up speed again and climbed meter after meter.

The forest gradually thins out and the highest point - the Moosalp - comes closer. When you reach it, you have a breathtaking view of the Mischabel group with the four-thousand-metre peaks of Dom, Lenzspitze and Nadelhorn, to name but a few. Even though the big ones at the top are shrouded in cloud, you wish you were standing up there. But instead of going further up, they head deep into the valley, where a superb descent awaits, which the two of them have been eagerly anticipating. After a few adrenaline rushes and cries of joy, Philipp and Balz reach the last aid station at the bottom of the valley.

The last 700 meters of ascent to Grächen await. This route is steep and the bike often has to be pushed or humped. The pain has somehow been forgotten and so the two riders ride and trot up the climb together with other participants. Once they arrive in Grächen, Philipp and Balz are relieved to have reached the finish line under difficult conditions. "My legs are so sore and empty now that I'm so happy to be at the finish", says Philipp and adds: "I hope we recover well, because tomorrow is another tough day."

This hard piece of work refers to the fourth stage. This, with start and finish in Grächen, is 75 kilometers long and includes a good 3,300 vertical meters.

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