The world’s greatest cross-country mountain biker, Nino Schurter returns to the Absa Cape Epic in 2024 for the ninth time. Though this year will be different in many ways, as he will not be donning the colours of SCOTT SRAM MTB Racing, but will rather be lining up in the colours of World Bicycle Relief alongside Sebastian Fini.
Nino Schurter’s participation in the Absa Cape Epic always draws attention. Since his debut, as the reigning XCO World Champion in 2010, the Swiss star has raced on eight occasions. In that time, he has won nine stages and taken the general classification crown twice, in 2017 and 2019. Much like his countryman, Christoph Sauser did more than a decade ago, Schurter has turned to a charity in order to create a suitable team for an Untamed campaign. Thanks to World Bicycle Relief the SCOTT SRAM man will be able to partner with Lapierre Mavic Unity’s Sebastian Fini in 2024.
World Bicycle Relief was founded by SRAM co-founder, F.K. Day and his wife Leah Missbach Day, in 2005 and has gone on to donate over 779 000 bicycles, empowering 3.8 million people in the process. The charity’s goal is to reach 1 million bicycles donated by 2025 and Schurter’s Absa Cape Epic participation could aid in reaching that target. “As Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini ride for separate teams, but would like to race the 2024 Absa Cape Epic together, the idea of racing for a charity came along,” SCOTT SRAM team principal Thomas Frischknecht explained. “World Bicycle Relief is the leading charitable organisation in our industry and is active globally.”
“Riding for a charity just makes so much sense for me,” Fini added. “To give something back to the people that don’t have the same opportunities as we enjoy means a lot to me. It’s the bigger perspective, which extends beyond racing as fast as possible for eight days. I want to make an impact and help and support people.”
Schurter’s profile will certainly aid in any fundraising campaign, but Fini is a major draw himself. The reigning Danish XCO champion is a 25-time national champion and boasts 56 500 Instagram followers. Together they, and their factory teams, have exciting plans for their charitable efforts. “We will try to take the fund raising to the next level with a serious campaign,” Schurter hinted.
As fans of the Untamed African Mountain Bike Race and the sport more generally have come to expect, Schurter is not coming to South Africa to make up the numbers. “When I’m on the start line, I’m always trying to give my best and therefore go for the win,” the 10-time World Champion confirmed. “This year is no different. However, I know there are a lot of things which I have no control over. Good luck also has a role to play in securing victory in the Absa Cape Epic.”
“That said, I love racing the Absa Cape Epic and doing so will be an important part of my Olympic season. The success at the race is therefore not only determent by winning.”
The 2024 Absa Cape Epic will be Schurter’s ninth start, but only Fini’s second. The Dane is, however, no stranger to South Africa and the trails of the Western Cape. “First of all, I had a great experience in 2019,” he smiled. “I loved the race, the atmosphere, South Africa, the trails and all the people around. I have been training here many times and thinking to come back since my last participation, but that never happened unfortunately.”
“Last year I joked with Nino about riding the Epic together, the jokes became serious talks and here we are, going to ride Absa Cape Epic together,” Fini revealed. “For me personally it’s crazy to think that I will line up with the rider I have been looking up to for many, many, years, the best of the best in our sports. I feel honoured to be in this position that he also sees my potential in this kind of race.”
“2024 is going to be a crazy year with Olympics in Paris, World Cups all over the world and lots of big races during the year. But I’m sure the Absa Cape Epic can give me so much in order to take the next step and perform on a higher level in XCO racing. I feel in good hands lining up with Nino and his crew for eight epic days!”
World Bicycle Relief
Nearly one billion people in rural regions of the world live in communities far from the nearest paved road, walking for kilometres each day just to survive. On foot, individuals race against the sun to complete everyday tasks. Distance is a barrier to attending school, receiving healthcare, delivering goods to market and other critical services needed to thrive. World Bicycle Relief partners with communities to deliver specially designed, locally assembled, rugged bicycles for people in need. They have developed an efficient, innovative, and scalable model to empower communities of students, health workers, and entrepreneurs in rural regions with life-changing mobility.
Find out more and donate at www.worldbicyclerelief.org
