The Graubünden natives will be racing in the colours of Scott-Davos Klosters in Africa.

Graubünden is the perfect breeding ground for mountain bikers. Its natural features and abundance of trails provide the physical terrain upon which talent can develop and thrive. Severin Disch and Andrin Beeli are among the riders who call the canton home and will be representing the region on a global stage when they line up as Scott-Davos Klosters at the 2022 Absa Cape Epic.

Both Disch and Beeli will be making their debuts in The Race That Measures All, though they do have Swiss Epic experience to call upon when the racing hots up. “I’m very much looking forward to racing at the Absa Cape Epic!” Disch enthused. “In 2020 everything was set to race and then the shock; the event was cancelled due to Covid just two days before it could get underway. Taking part in the Absa Cape Epic has always been a dream of mine and still is.”

Despite living relatively near one another the partnership came together relatively late. “It was a last-minute decision to take part in the Absa Cape Epic, as Severin only asked me in mid-February” Beeli explained. “It has always been my goal to take part in the biggest and most prestigious MTB race in the world, so of course I was keen to partner him for the race. Being able to tackle the Absa Cape Epic with a good friend is a great bonus.”

“Severin and I raced each other in Swiss Cups and at the UCI World Cups, so racing as partners will be something cool,” Beeli added. “As it’s the first participation for both of us we don’t really know what to expect. We will take it day by day and have as much fun as possible.”

“As Andrin said, it will be our first times racing the Absa Cape Epic” Disch allowed. “I think having experience in stage racing helps a lot though. Especially Epic Series stage race experience! The Swiss Epic is always perfectly organised; so, we expect the Absa Cape Epic to live up to the same standard, for sure.”

“Compared to the Swiss Epic, I expect a bigger fight for positions especially in the beginning of the stages,” Beeli pointed out. “At the Swiss Epic you usually have a bigger climb right after the start which stretches out the field, whereas at the Absa Cape Epic it’s possible that a bigger group of teams stays together for a much longer time.”

“From a logistical perspective the race will be a big challenge for us though,” he continued. “We won’t have a support team around us. This fact will make the race an even bigger adventure.”

Hailing from Graubünden the pair have the ideal terrain, right on their doorsteps to prepare for the world’s premier mountain bike stage race. “Graubünden is a fantastic trail paradise!” Disch praised. “We can profit from the best training conditions. Compared to South Africa our home trails are steeper, more rooted and technically demanding. We are preparing for the longer rides at the Absa Cape Epic, but with shorter climbs and descents.”

“In Graubünden you either ride up a hill or down a hill,” Beelie laughed. “Flat sections are really rare. I expect the dust to be a big problem for the visibility. As will coming from winter in Switzerland straight to South African summer, the difference in temperature will also be a challenge. Fortunately, both Severin and I have already spent some time in South Africa for training camps, around Stellenbosch, so we have an idea what to expect.”

To see if the Absa Cape Epic lives up to the Scott-Davos Klosters team’s expectations follow the race on cape-epic.com. The racing gets underway on the 20th of March, it will be live-streamed to Switzerland and the rest of the world on the event website. So, be sure to watch the action as it unfolds.