Spar Swiss Epic Stage 1 - 15 AUG 2023

Stage 1 begins in Lenzerheide and heads immediately, yet gradually upward on the lower slopes of the Parpan Schwarzhorn. along the trail Arsola where the burn in the legs is offset with incredible views of the valley below. Once teams reach Arsola the climbing truly begins as they head in the direction of the Panorama Trail to climb and descend the famous trail. The Bikepark FLOWline arrives and teams are treated to a trail that is packed with jumps and berms to get the excitement levels up before diving into the second half of the stage.

The route then crosses itself and teams begin to understand why Lenzerheide is known as Bike Kingdom as they race through Nino’s Gold Trail by ÖKK – a trail that made history when Nino Schurter won the 2018 World Cup on it. The route then trends upwards for the next 13 kilometres as teams skirt alpine towns in search of the High Level Trail, from Alp Stätz to Alp Nova and on to Scalottas. Soak in the views of Bike Kingdom as it is not something that can be seen every day!

Top Fops then arrives at the 37 kilometre-mark and delivers a pure fun and rock ‘n roll, natural flowing trail with rock gardens that is sure to delight every team in the race. The descending continues until teams reach Got da Lain where they will race through a larch forest and back to the finish. One stage down, four to go!