Looser and Skarda crush the 2025 Swiss Epic

Vera Looser and Alexis Skarda closed out the 2025 SPAR Swiss Epic in unstoppable fashion on Sunday, sealing their general classification crown with a fourth stage victory in Davos.In the elite women's category, the excitement was absolute for the Namibian and the American, who thoroughly dominated the 307 km over five days (with 9.450 metres of climbing and 10.050 metres of descent).The Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM duo owned the Alps, winning four of five stages and proving themselves the strongest climbers, tacticians, and finishers. Their only blemish was a wrong turn during stage two, which ate up another stage lead they had built up. Torpado Kenda FSA (Katazina Sosna Pinele of Lithuania and Giorgia Marchet of Italy) crossed the finish line first, but a race protest for drafting a men’s team during the final quarter was upheld – adding a one-hour GC penalty to their overall time.On every other day, the leaders in orange made the race their own. An undeniable superiority in the high mountain sections propelled the Namibian and the American to achieve their first major victory together in the Epic Series.For Looser, this title is extra special. After a season of second places — Absa Cape Epic, the 4Islands in Croatia, and Andorra Epic — Graubünden finally delivered redemption for the 31-year-old. Adding to her 2023 Swiss Epic crown, this victory marks her first alongside Skarda, who flew in from the U.S. under less-than-ideal travel conditions but rose to the occasion with grit and class.Early stampThe queen stage (Stage 1) exploded into action last Wednesday. Alongside U.S. powerhouse Skarda, Looser lit up the 78 km trails from Davos to La Punt, attacking early and shattering the field long before the Albula Pass’s brutal 21 km ascent.While rivals cracked in the thin air, Looser and Skarda turned the monster climb into their personal showcase, cresting with a commanding gap. Even a spirited descent from Buff Megamo’s Rosa van Doorn and Janina Wüst couldn’t close the damage.By the line, the Namibian-American partnership had stamped a 4:21 lead on the race – and pulled on the coveted orange CIOVITA jerseys. It’s only Stage 1, but the message was clear: they were there to dominate.On Stage 5, they attacked the brutal 2,000 metres of climbing with calm authority, cresting the Panorama Trail with a decisive gap and controlling the race all the way to the finish.After five days, Van Doorn (Netherlands) and Wüst (Germany) finished in second position over 13 minutes behind, while the podium was completed by Alessia Nay and Kim Ames (Bulls Swiss).Skarda said: “It feels absolutely incredible. Getting here was tough, with a long flight from the United States and lost luggage, so I didn't know what I could give. “But being with Vera and helping her break her streak of second places... winning the Swiss Epic is amazing." Looser, who achieved her second title in this race after the one in 2023, added: "Finally! I hope this streak continues next year. I'm happy because the race showed that my form is good and I'm heading in the right direction. “Now I hope to perform well at the UCI Marathon World Championship in Valais (in Switzerland, 6 September)."Final classification, elite women Swiss Epic 20251 Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM – Vera Looser & Alexis Skarda (15:49:27).2 Buff Megamo – Rosa Van Doorn & Janina Wüst (+13:42).3 Bulls Swiss – Alessia Nay & Kim Ames (+36:42).4 Torpado Kenda FSA – Katazina Sosna Pinele & Giorgia Marchet (+1:18:18).5 Cannondale ISB Sport – Monica Calderon & Tessa Kortekaas (+1:23:03).

Looser and Skarda crush the 2025 Swiss Epic

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-19

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Looser and Skarda crush the 2025 Swiss Epic

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-19

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