2025 SPAR Swiss Epic: Alpine Adventures Await in Graubünden

Entries to the 2025 SPAR Swiss Epic, which will take place from the 13th to the 17th of August next year, are open. To experience the best of Graubünden’s world class mountain biking teams are encouraged to book their slots now.

The 2024 SPAR Swiss Epic was an edition for the ages and certainly elicited fomo in those mountain bikers who missed it. Photo by Marius Holler.

Hot on the heels of the 2024 SPAR Swiss Epic wrapping up in Davos, entries for the 2025 edition have launched. The twelfth edition of the five-day, Legend status, Epic Series stage race will see the teams based on Davos, before traversing the high alpine passes of Graubünden to La Punt, in the Engadin. Mountain bikers can expect to be faced with a challenging 350-kilometre route, with roughly 12 000 metres of climbing, but while the exact course remains a closely guarded secret it is no mystery that the experience will be superb.

“The SPAR Swiss Epic stands out, from its sister Epic Series events, because of its long climbs,” five-time finisher Hans Becking noted. “If you want to find out if you are a good climber, come to Graubünden! You will know after five days. Along with the brutal climbs it also boasts insane long downhills, which makes the climbing worthwhile.”

In 2024 Lukas Flückiger made an unexpected return to elite racing and won his third SPAR Swiss Epic title. The BIXS Performance team manager added to the crowns he won in 2016 and 2021 alongside Gian Schmid and ranked the victory among his finest. “It’s a team race and that brings more emotion as well as different tactical components to the race,” Flückiger stated, when asked what makes the event unique. “Then it also offers you the best trail region in Switzerland, where I trained throughout my career. Added to the incredible singletracks you will get the best organized stage race. It is perfect for racing, while always showcasing amazing landscapes too.”

Lukas Flückiger in action in the 2024 SPAR Swiss Epic. Photo by Marius Holler.

SPAR Swiss Epic debutant, Danielle Strydom was blown away by the scenery, the singletracks and the racing. “The 2024 SPAR Swiss Epic was the first time I’ve been at the competitive end of a UCI field, in a major stage race, and that in itself was a great experience for me,” the double South African national champion smiled. “I’m a sucker for beautiful views, and though I was racing my heart out, it’s impossible not to be wowed by the incredible scenery. I will warn fellow South Africans and anyone else who does not train on mountains like the Swiss Alps – the climbing is tough. We just don’t have climbs that long in South Africa, so it’s hard to prepare for the length of both the ascents and descents. But I’ll be back, I’m looking forward to next year’s race already!”

South African XCM and Gravel Champion, Danielle Strydom (left) completed her first international stage race at the SPAR Swiss Epic in August. Photo by Marius Holler.

Strydom’s fellow South African, Juanita Mackenzie completed her fourth Epic Series event of 2024 at the SPAR Swiss Epic. Though she is clear which is the toughest: “The SPAR Swiss Epic is the hardest of the Epic Series events, in my humble opinion. But you can’t come here and not have the mountains move you.”

“You are literally on top of the world at times, riding on the ridge of colossal snow-capped mountains overlooking turquoise lakes and it’s an otherworldly feeling,” Mackenzie recalled. “The pictures are beautiful, but you must be there to truly understand the magic. It is a race
which takes everything from you physically and mentally to conquer those mammoth mountains, but it’s so worth it. As with all things in life the harder you work for it the sweeter the reward…”

Juanita Mackenzie (right) took on her fourth Epic Series event of 2024 in Graubünden, which makes her uniquely positioned to speak to the features of the event. Photo by Michael Chiaretta.

The rewards are set to be as sweet as Swiss chocolate in 2025. As was the case this year, it will make use of just two race villages; but may feature remote starts and/or finishes to increase the diversity of the riding. “With only two host towns its logistically very easy, but I don’t think you will get bored by the riding,” Becking promised. “Both Davos and La Punt are stunning towns and show Switzerland just like you expect it to be. Personally, I prefer the two-race village format of this year’s race because you can focus on recovery and not worry too much about transfers.”

To secure a spot in the 2025 SPAR Swiss Epic mountain bikers are encouraged to take up the early bird entry option, from the 3^rd to the 5^th of September 2024. Early bird registration fees of 2,765 CHF/2,848€ for a ride only team entry or 3,950 CHF/4,069€ for the hotel package apply for just three days. Thereafter Tier 1 pricing, of 2,935 CHF/3,023€ (Ride Only) and 4,190 CHF/4,316€ (Hotel Package), comes into effect until the 26^th of November 2024. For more information click here, or visit www.epic-series.com/swissepic and click on the “Register” tab.

Hans Becking (right) endured a tough SPAR Swiss Epic in 2024, but nonetheless enjoyed the overall event experience. Photo by Nick Muzik.

Riders can choose to include hotel accommodation in La Punt and Davos with their entries. Photo by Marius Holler.

The tracks through Graubünden vary between raw natural trails and purpose built MTB singletrack. Photo by Sam Clark.