legends

At the 2021 Swiss Epic, in Graubünden, there were 9 existing Epic Legends who took to the trails in a bid to add yet another Epic Series finish to their palmarès. While these riders raced their way from St. Moritz to Valposchiavo and finally to Davos, there was one rider on a mission to join the elite Epic Legend Club.


This rider was Jean Francois Bossler.


Jean Francois Bossler is no stranger to the Epic Series. He had 7 Absa Cape Epic finishes to his name, including a Virgin Active Mixed category win, and a mixed category podium finish at The Pioneer, fuelled by Nutri-Grain, when he toed the start at the 2021 Swiss Epic.

Thomas Skubiszewski assisted Jean-Francois Bossler with the final piece of his Epic Legend puzzle – the 2021 Swiss Epic.

That first Absa Cape Epic, back in 2010, was more than a race, it was a new door in my life.” 

Jean Francois Bossler is no stranger to the Epic Series. He had 7 Absa Cape Epic finishes to his name, including a Virgin Active Mixed category win, and a mixed category podium finish at The Pioneer, fuelled by Nutri-Grain, when he toed the start at the 2021 Swiss Epic.


327 kilometres of Alpine racing, including 11 000 metres of climbing, which took teams as high as 2 606 metres above sea level, stood between him and his Epic Legend medal. But with years of mountain bike experience and memories to call upon, Bossler knew that the only way to claim the medal was to keep pushing, no matter the conditions.


“You can’t imagine how the Absa Cape Epic and Epic Series stage races changed my approach to MTB racing” Bossler enthused. “From XCO elite racing, mostly in France and some World Cups in Europe, but close to France, up to travelling all around the world to enjoy 8 days of pure mountain biking. That first Absa Cape Epic, back in 2010, was more than a race, it was a new door in my life.”

Alpenhorns could often be heard booming over the alpine valleys of Graubünden during the 2021 Swiss Epic.

“My favourite Epic Series memory was winning the Absa Cape Epic in the Virgin Active Mixed Category, in 2016, with Fanny Bourdon” Bossler reminisced. “That was amazing and so hard to stay focused all the week and avoid mistakes. The taste is even stronger when you know that my partner was sick with a stomach bug for 2 days and on the last stage, she did not eat anything. I’ll always remember having to help her for the final 40-kilometres…”


Fortunately for Bossler, and the entire 2021 Swiss Epic field, Graubünden presented picture-perfect weather throughout the 5 days of racing which allowed all the teams to relish the spectacular views, world-class trails, and the hospitality of the event.


Jean-Francois Bossler and Fanny Bourdon win the final stage of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic 

The Epic Legend medal is reserved strictly for riders who have completed three Epic Series Legend events, including the Absa Cape Epic.

Upon crossing the final finish line in Davos Klosters, Bossler was ushered across the line to a hero’s welcome and claimed the famed medal that had travelled to 3 continents for.


“I thoroughly enjoyed the race week here at the Swiss Epic alongside my friend, Thomas Skubiszewski! Riding my bike here in Switzerland, for the first time at the Swiss Epic, just made me so happy. Thank you for all the effort the Swiss Epic team put into this race.


Everything was just amazing and I am honoured to be an Epic Legend. Thank you” an emotional Bossler recounted.