Stephen Grima and Patrick Scicluna will represent Team Gaudos at the 2026 Swiss Epic, one of the world’s leading mountain bike stage races, taking place in Graubünden, Switzerland, from 19 to 23 August.
The five-day event forms part of the internationally recognised Epic Series and will see two-rider teams tackle 340 kilometres of demanding alpine terrain, including around 12,000 metres of climbing.
Grima brings considerable experience to the challenge, having earned Epic Legend status after completing at least three different Epic Series races. He also has first-hand knowledge of the Swiss Epic, having competed in the event in 2024, in addition to recording several podium finishes in local competitions.
Scicluna is also an experienced international competitor, with appearances at the Tour of Cyprus, where he secured a category podium in 2014, as well as two category victories at the Etna Marathon Tour in 2016 and 2018. He has also competed in five editions of the Tour ta’ Malta and gained multi-stage experience at the Mediterranean Epic.
The race will begin in La Punt in the Engadin valley before finishing in Davos, with the riders facing five consecutive stages across challenging climbs, technical descents and high-altitude trails. The demanding Queen Stage on 21 August will take competitors over the Scaletta Pass at an altitude of 2,606 metres.
Weather conditions could add another challenge, with rain, low temperatures and reduced visibility forecast across the race week.
Scicluna said the experience of racing alongside Grima would be particularly valuable in his first Swiss Epic.
“I’ve raced internationally and I know how to suffer, but an Epic race is a different beast entirely. Having a team-mate like Stephen beside me, someone who has extensive Epic experience, means I’m not going in blind.”
Grima said the pair were ready for the challenge ahead.
“Patrick’s CV speaks for itself. He knows how to compete at this level. The Swiss Alps are waiting, and we’re ready.”
The team also thanked its sponsors and supporters, including Extra Karte, Visit Malta, SG Woodworks Ltd, Raico, National Gypsum Limited Malta, Würth Malta, Pitre Hardware, Lourdes Opticians, JV Pharma, A. Caruana Enterprises Ltd and Xlendi Supermarket, for making their participation possible.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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