Blurred Lines: Nino Schurter and Brendan Fairclough

What happens when you take two riders at the top of their game but from opposite ends of the competitive spectrum, throwing them together in the dust and rocks of Finale Ligure? You may think that the specific requirements of DH and XC would produce riders with wildly different outlooks, but you would be surprised! When teammates Brendan Fairclough (Gstaad SCOTT DH Team) and Nino Schurter (SCOTT-ODLO MTB Racing Team) took to the dust of Finale it was clear to see how close DH and XC have become! Blurred lines indeed!

From opposite ends of the sport, when Brendan and Nino meet the lines blur! Both riders are known in their disciplines for being masters of bike handling.

Brendan Fairclough is perhaps one of the most naturally gifted bike riders in the world, always happiest on the most technical of tracks he thrives on super steep terrain. Coming from the same mould as the likes of Sam Hill, Brendan is a true genius when it comes to creativity and bike handling. Plagued by injury Brendan has yet to find the form he is chasing, but is an ever present threat to the top spot. Some argue that DH bikes are so good now that raw power is more important that pure talent, and as such riders like Brendan struggle to dominate the DH podiums.

In contrast Swiss born Nino Schurter has dominated the XC World Championships taking victories in 2009, 2012 and 2013. His fitness, superhuman power and willingness to go through pain cannot be questioned, but many riders still believe that XC is the softer option. However, Nino is one of the new breed of XC riders, mixing supreme fitness with incredible bike skills, Nino can shred!

Both riders were entered into the Enduro World Series race and during practice Nino and Brendan took some time out to shred the dust of stage 4. With both riders shredding hard, whips were thrown and berms detonated, only the shoes and pedal choice gave away the riders origins . Here is a short photo series showing what went down when the two worlds collided.

As important as the dusty trails, caffeine fueled preparations. The central Piazza in Finale was where it all happened, the EWS grand final!

Getting it dialed, on Finale dust traction is key! — Getting it dialed, in the dust of Finale good traction is key!

Nino is a known beast on the climbs, today he takes the shuttle! — Nino is a known beast on the climbs, however today he takes the shuttle! There was much talk of the practice of shuttling in the EWS and you can expect more clarity next year!

XC is tough, These riders throw it down on small bikes in tough terrain! Injuries are inevitable!

Photoshoots are tough, you wait around for ages then have to perform in an instant! Working in the heat of Finale it takes time to get the shots!

Only the white XC shoes and clips give it away, Nino can DH with the best of them! — Blurred lines, both riders are beasts on the pedals and both riders can shred! Only the white XC shoes and clips give it away, Nino can boost with the best of them!

Brendan boosting over the Med! — This section of stage never made it into the main race due to complications with access, it would have been good to see the top field hit these at race pace.

Everyone wants to see Brendan win a World Cup one day! Put him on a tough technical track and the rest of the field start sweating.

Fully pinned, always! Brendan smashing the dust! Both riders were racing on the Scott LT700, a bike that bridged the gap!

Waiting for the shots to be checked! — Team mates and friends, Nino and Brendan wait for the shots to be checked!

Always time for a sweet Instagrammed sunset! In the bike industry social media is just as important as top place finishes!

Nino working an unusual line! Both riders were on a mission to throw down the best display of bike craft!

Blured lines, both these guys can pedal and shred the downhills.. — Nino can put the power down hard, but Downhillers are no longer lazy! Both these guys can pedal..

Few can throw a bike around as well as Brendan!

The end of the day! with the shoot done Brendan starts hooking up the after party!

Words: Trev Worsey Photos: Jochen Haar

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Blurred Lines: Nino Schurter and Brendan Fairclough

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