WEILHEIM-TECK, Germany — The message arrived at 3:47 a.m. Local time, just as Luca Schwarzbauer was double-checking his bike’s suspension settings for the third time. “Dude, the sand stage is even worse than last year,” read the text from his Cape Epic teammate. Schwarzbauer’s reply was characteristically blunt: “How the hell am I supposed to survive two days in this sand pit?”

For Germany’s reigning mountain biking champion, the Cape Epic isn’t just another race — it’s an eight-day torture chamber through South Africa’s Western Cape that pushes riders to their absolute limits. In a recent interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Schwarzbauer pulled no punches about what makes this event the “hardest race in the world,” his unorthodox training partnership with Tour de France rider Florian Lipowitz, and why mountain biking technique is something you can’t learn as an adult.

The Cape Epic: Mountain Biking’s Answer to the Tour de France

When Schwarzbauer finished third at the 2025 Cape Epic — mountain biking’s most prestigious stage race — he didn’t just add another podium to his resume. He completed what many consider the sport’s ultimate challenge: 650 kilometers of relentless climbing, technical descents, and unpredictable terrain, all even as paired with a teammate for eight consecutive days.

“The Tour de France stands above everything in road cycling when it comes to attention,” Schwarzbauer told FAZ. “In mountain biking, we have the World Cup, World Championships, and Olympics at the top. The Cape Epic is different — it’s a stage race, not a one-day event. That’s why people compare it to the Tour. But it’s brutally hard. You ride with a teammate and have to push to your limit every single day. And then there are the other challenges…”

Those “other challenges” include:

• Sleeping in shared tents at remote base camps
• Navigating sections where riders must carry their bikes through deep sand
• Repairing mechanical issues with limited tools
• Managing nutrition and hydration in extreme heat

Schwarzbauer’s 2025 performance was particularly impressive given his focus on cross-country (XCO) racing, where he’s consistently ranked among the world’s top 10. “Many riders now specialize in single events and prepare exclusively for them,” he explained. “It’s much harder to stay competitive across different formats. But I’ve managed to finish in the top 10 in World Cup races regularly — something only a few riders have achieved in recent years.”

“A Two, But Rarely a One”: The Mindset of a Champion

Despite his success, Schwarzbauer’s 2026 season has been defined by near-misses. “I’d summarize it so far as: often a two, but rarely a one,” he said, referencing his frequent second-place finishes. “The season is far from over, though. There’s still plenty to win, and I’ll be introducing new strategies to break through.”

His recent dominance at the German National Championships — where he claimed both the short-track and cross-country titles — suggests those strategies are working. But Schwarzbauer remains refreshingly honest about the mental grind of professional cycling. “You can’t let yourself get rattled,” he said of his training relationship with Lipowitz. “We push each other, but we also keep things in perspective.”

The Lipowitz Connection: When a Biathlete Becomes a Tour de France Rider

Few training partnerships in cycling are as unlikely — or as effective — as the one between Schwarzbauer and Florian Lipowitz. The 24-year-old Lipowitz, a former biathlete, has quickly become one of Germany’s most exciting road cycling talents, currently riding for Bora-Hansgrohe in the Tour de France. Despite their different disciplines, the two have trained together regularly on the rolling hills of the Swabian Alb since meeting during a training camp in Mallorca in early 2024.

“On paper, it doesn’t make sense,” Schwarzbauer admitted. “I’m a mountain biker from Weilheim-Teck. Florian was a biathlete from Laichingen who switched to road racing. But we clicked immediately. We both love the process of getting better, and we’re not afraid to suffer.”

Their training sessions have become a local legend. On one particularly brutal January morning — cold, wet, and slippery — Schwarzbauer moved his workout indoors to a stationary trainer. Lipowitz, meanwhile, took the day off. But instead of resting, he joined Schwarzbauer for breakfast. “We talked about what connects us, what separates us, and what You can learn from each other,” Schwarzbauer recalled. “That’s the kind of relationship we have. It’s not just about the miles.”

Their partnership highlights the growing crossover between cycling disciplines. While Schwarzbauer focuses on technical skills and explosive power for mountain biking, Lipowitz brings endurance and tactical awareness from road racing. “Florian has an incredible engine,” Schwarzbauer said. “Watching him climb is like watching a metronome — completely smooth, completely relentless. I’ve picked up some pacing strategies from him that have helped in my longer races.”

“You Can’t Learn This as an Adult”: The Mountain Biking Technique Gap

Schwarzbauer’s insights into mountain biking technique reveal why the sport is so uniquely challenging. “You learn mountain biking technique as a kid,” he explained. “At some point, it becomes second nature. Trying to catch up as an adult? That’s almost impossible.”

This perspective underscores why the Cape Epic is so daunting. Unlike road racing, where fitness and strategy dominate, mountain biking demands an intuitive understanding of terrain, balance, and bike handling. “In road racing, you can brute-force your way through a climb if you’re strong enough,” Schwarzbauer said. “In mountain biking, if you don’t know how to handle loose rocks or tight turns, you’re going to crash — no matter how fit you are.”

His advice for amateur riders looking to improve? “Tinker with your bike. Understand how small adjustments to your suspension or tire pressure can make a difference. And ride with people who are better than you. That’s how you learn.”

What’s Next for Schwarzbauer?

With the 2026 Cape Epic just months away, Schwarzbauer is already deep into his preparation. His goals are clear: improve on his 2025 podium finish and continue his streak of top-10 World Cup results. But he’s also realistic about the challenges ahead.

“The Cape Epic isn’t just a race — it’s a survival test,” he said. “You have to manage your energy, your equipment, and your mind. One terrible day can ruin everything. But that’s what makes it special. When you cross that finish line after eight days, you know you’ve accomplished something few people ever will.”

For now, Schwarzbauer is focusing on the immediate future. The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season is in full swing, with stops in Albstadt, Germany (May 9–11) and Nové Město, Czech Republic (May 16–18) up next. Fans can follow his progress through UCI’s official website or his Instagram.

Key Takeaways

• The Cape Epic is mountain biking’s toughest race: An eight-day, 650km stage race through South Africa’s Western Cape, often called the “Tour de France of mountain biking.”
• Schwarzbauer’s 2025 performance: Finished third overall while maintaining top-10 World Cup results in cross-country racing.
• Unlikely training partner: Teams up with Tour de France rider Florian Lipowitz, a former biathlete, for joint training sessions on the Swabian Alb.
• Technique matters: Schwarzbauer emphasizes that mountain biking skills are best learned as a child and are difficult to master as an adult.
• 2026 goals: Improve on his Cape Epic podium and continue his streak of top-10 World Cup finishes.

FAQ

What makes the Cape Epic so difficult?

The Cape Epic is an eight-day stage race covering 650km with over 16,000 meters of climbing. Riders face extreme terrain, unpredictable weather, and the mental challenge of recovering day after day. Mechanical issues, nutrition management, and teammate dynamics add to the complexity.

How does Schwarzbauer’s training with Florian Lipowitz help his performance?

Lipowitz, a Tour de France rider, brings endurance and pacing expertise from road racing. Schwarzbauer benefits from Lipowitz’s smooth climbing style and tactical awareness, while Lipowitz gains technical skills and explosive power from Schwarzbauer’s mountain biking background.

Why is mountain biking technique so hard to learn as an adult?

Mountain biking requires an intuitive understanding of balance, terrain, and bike handling. These skills are typically developed during childhood when motor learning is most effective. Adults can improve, but they often lack the same fluidity and instinctive reactions as those who started young.

What are Schwarzbauer’s biggest strengths as a rider?

Schwarzbauer is known for his consistency, technical skills, and ability to perform across different formats. He’s one of the few riders to regularly finish in the top 10 in World Cup cross-country races while also excelling in stage races like the Cape Epic.

How can amateur riders improve their mountain biking skills?

Schwarzbauer recommends tinkering with bike setup (suspension, tire pressure) and riding with more experienced cyclists. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding how small adjustments can impact performance on different terrains.