Christoph ‘Suzi’ Sauser

SWITZERLAND, 40 T FORMER OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALLIST, FIVE- TIME EPIC WINNER T 10 WORLD CUP WINS T PARTNER: JAROSLAV KULHAVY

What’s your relationship with Karl Platt like? We’ve known each other a long time – and I got to know him at my first Cape Epic. It’s never boring around him, and we always have something interesting to discuss… that’s what I really like! Are you friends or rivals? In a race, we are both competitors, especially at the Cape Epic… that’s where we normally race head-to-head. Otherwise, we don’t race against each other much. Do you feel a sense of rivalry between the two of you at this year’s Epic? For me, it’s not about Karl or Team Bulls, Topeak Ergon or Scott. It’s much more that Jaro and I can perform at our best, with a super team around us, racing the best equipment. Why did you decide to come out of retirement?

I love challenges – and after a year’s break, the challenge could not have been bigger, since I am not getting any younger. But so far, I believe the break was good... I am fresh and motivated! A lot of people say you never retired. Did you? Or did you just carry on training? I love to ride my bikes. I was riding my trail bikes for most of the time; I never did specific intervals. Although I was doing stage races in Colombia, at the Swiss Epic, and riding with the XC riders on the World Cup courses – that always kept me on my toes! For Wines2Whales I started with real training again, and I saw how quickly I got into good shape. That gave me the confidence to come back out of retirement for the Epic. What is it about the Cape Epic that makes you want to come back?

It’s the Tour de France of mountain biking. And I love stage racing – you can’t go home after one day, you have to face it every day. It is also the best platform to inspire the Songo kids, and raise awareness for our fans and sponsors. What’s your secret to winning the Epic? Preparation, organisation, very strong mind, confidence, equipment, team, team spirit. And lots of power in the legs!