Alexis Skarda is a formidable American professional mountain biker known for her prowess in cross-country marathon (XCM) racing, along with some highly proficient DJ skills. As a three-time National Champion in XCM, Skarda has consistently demonstrated her strength and endurance on challenging courses. The 2025 Cape Epic marked a significant chapter in Skarda’s career, as she teamed up once again with Namibian Vera Looser, herself a former Cape Epic and National champion.

Racing for Team Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM, the duo proved to be a strong contender in the competitive Women’s category. Skarda and Looser showcased impressive teamwork and resilience throughout the demanding event, which covered over 600 kilometres with significant elevation gain that no doubt pushed their BPM. Their consistent performances saw them battling at the sharp end of the field.

Ultimately, Alexis Skarda and Vera Looser secured a commendable second place in the general classification, finishing behind the dominant Toyota-Specialized team. Their strong partnership and ability to navigate the challenging conditions highlighted their capabilities as top-tier endurance racers.

off.road.cc managed to get an equally hard-fought moment in the finale finish zone to capture some insights on Skarda’s Santa Cruz Blur. 

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_000 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_000.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Teammates Vera Looser and Alexis Skarda powering through stage four.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_001 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_001.JPG, by Liam Mercer

National USA XCM Champ, Alexis Skarda, is flying the flag high during stage four.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_002 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_002.JPG, by Liam Mercer

A jubilant Looser and Skarda on the finale finish in Lourensford.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_003 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_003.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Focus all in during a post-race interview.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_004 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_004.JPG, by Liam Mercer

A race mechanic who makes it happen. Mylo “I’ll be waiting for you”

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_005 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_005.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Energy, finishing the grand finale, and taking second overall.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_006 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_006.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Flight Attendant appears across the sharp end of racing.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_007 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_007.JPG, by Liam Mercer

A rare pair, Xpedo pedals. This model, the M-Force 8 with Ti spindle, has a claimed weight of 220g. We don’t know if that would translate into watts or beats.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_008 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_008.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Derigeur XX Transmission, another choice for alloy cage.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_009 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_009.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Another pro-choice saddle bag, A Silca Mattone with Boa closure. Neat, clean and compact.

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_010 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_010.JPG, by Liam Mercer

3D-printed Specialized S-Works Mirror Power Saddle. Say that six times fast.

Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_011.JPG
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_011 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_011.JPG, by Liam Mercer

A neat hack, a piece of tube to protect shifter/dropper unit from the elements. 

Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_012.JPG
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_012 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_012.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Straight up motivational messages. Supacaz griptape in the centre of the bars also housed AXS blips.

Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_013.JPG
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_013 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_013.JPG, by Liam Mercer

More motivation, also note the route profile sticker affixed behind the race board. 

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_014 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_014.JPG, by Liam Mercer

King Cage Titanium, handmade in Colorado USA, with a reputation for light, strong bottle retention. Refreshing to see alloy cages among a plethora of composites. 

Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_015.JPG
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_015 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_015.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Chain keeper doing its job amongst the muck and arduous terrain.

Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_016.JPG
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_016 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_016.JPG, by Liam Mercer

Three wraps and that baby is going nowhere. 

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Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_017 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_017.JPG, by Liam Mercer

A handpump is the ultimate reliable bailout. 

Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_018.JPG
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_018 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Alexis Skarda Santa Cruz_018.JPG, by Liam Mercer

A collab between Stans and Daysaver, a handlebar insert with a Stan’s Dart plug preloaded. 

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