SUPPORT TE AM
4
SCOTT-SRAM MTB RACING
2019
Age: 32
Epics completed: 4
Stage wins: 4
BEST RESULT
1st (2017)
2016 Olympic Gold medallist
DSV-SCOTT-SRAM
2019
280-2
NINO
SCHURTER
12
280-2
ANDRI
FRISCHKNECHT
Age: 24
Epics completed: 1
Stage wins: 2
BEST RESULT
6th (2017)
2018 Swiss Epic winner
GERT
HEYNS
Age: 25
Epics completed: 2
Stage wins: 1
BEST RESULT
6th (2014)
2018 XCM South African
champion
LARS
FORSTER
Age: 25
Epics completed: 0
BEST RESULT
2018 XCO European
champion
5 MINUTES WITH ANDRI
I
t’s a longstanding Cape Epic debate: who will win –
the short-form XCO specialists or the turbo diesel-
engined marathon hard-men? The 2017 edition was
direct evidence that talent transfers and champions prevail.
A pure-bred XCO racer, Schurter adjusted his preparation
for the 2017 race, brought along an excellent back-up
team and romped home with Matthias Stirnemann for the
win. Stirnemann fell ill in 2018, writing off their attempt to
repeat, but the Olympic and world champion returns for
revenge, this time with Andri Frischknecht at his side.
Schurter is the best mountain biker of his generation,
capturing a full set of Olympic medals and seven world
titles so far. This puts his partner under immense pressure,
under which many a mortal would suff er. However, the
son of MTB legend Thomas Frischknecht is coming of age,
winning the Swiss Epic in 2018 and showing he’s up to the
task. The dynamic required for success from these two
involves Schurter leading from the front, with an eye on
young Frischknecht, making sure he doesn’t go too deep
too early and pay the price. Backed up by European XCO
champ Lars Forster and SA marathon champ Gert Heyns,
mechanical and tactical assistance will be close at hand.
46 | MTB | The Untamed African MTB Race
Presumably Nino was a
mentor to you, having
been in the team that
your dad Thomas
manages. How long have
you known him and how
did you get to be his
partner? I was part of the
team from the beginning
so I’ve known Nino for
quite some time. But
none of us thought we’d
team up for Cape Epic.
Last year I had my best
season so far. Despite my
injury in March I showed
some good speed. If we
both stay healthy we
have a good chance for a
podium spot.
Your dad did some crazy
things, like riding the
Olympic road race the day
after he got a silver medal
off road on a CX bike
because Tony Rominger
fell ill. What was it like
growing up in this sport,
and did you know you
wanted to ride pro from
an early age? I was at the
races since I was a little
boy, playing in the mud.
Racing was not a big thing
for me until I was about 12.
Then I started training and
racing more frequently,
and I’ve loved it ever since.
How have your previous
experiences of Epic been
– do you enjoy the heat
and dusty trails versus the
cool, green mountains of
Switzerland? It’s always
nice to switch things up a
bit. In summer, Switzerland
is hot and humid too, but I
like South Africa because
you have a lot of freedom
with where you can ride.
“For me it is great to learn from the
champions! I think pressure is self
made, it’s just a very nice opportunity
I have here.” – Andri
SUPPLIED
You’re riding with the
greatest mountain biker
in history and you are
the son of one of the
greatest – no pressure
huh? For me it is great to
learn from the champions!
I think pressure is self
made, it’s just a very nice
opportunity I have here.