This year’s Cape Epic race lived up to the “epic” portion of its name, with SCOTT-SRAM MTB’s Nino Schurter and Filippo Colombo battling through all seven stages to take a hard-fought victory.
Other athletes weren’t the two riders’ only opponents. Weather and course conditions were formidable adversaries as conditions during the eight-day event varied from stifling heat and choking dust to deep, slippery mud.
Riding Maxxis Aspen tires all the way, Schurter and Colombo started strong by winning Stage 1 and earning a GC lead that would at times narrow but never slip out of their grasp. The two were able to extend their lead via a push which also won Stage 5, but Stage 6 was a different story: An opposing team attacked and shrank the SCOTT-SRAM riders’ advantage to just 32 seconds. But despite a last-minute course change which shortened Stage 7 to just 40 kilometers, Schurter and Colombo rallied and increased their lead to 1 minute and 32 seconds by the finish line.
“Winning my third Cape Epic is an incredible honor, especially at this stage in my career. I love this brutal race; it’s a true adventure,” said Schurter.
An elated Colombo was thrilled not just by the victory, but by the fact that his childhood hero was his teammate and fellow victor: “Being able to compete in the Cape Epic alongside Nino, my greatest childhood idol, is a highlight of my career. The victory means a lot to me and is the perfect start to the new season.”
Photos: NICK MUŽÍK, Max Sullivan, Cape Epic
