Contemporary art on an exclusive SCOTT Spark RC painted for Nino Schurter

The boundary between contemporary art and high-performance mountain bikes blurs in a very special project signed by SCOTT, South African artist Lionel Smit and Olympic champion and nine-time XCO world champion, Nino Schurter. The result is two unique bicycles created from a SCOTT Spark RC, transformed into authentic pieces of art and intended to support a charitable cause.

A SCOTT Spark RC turned into a unique work of art

For this collaboration, the Spark RC, one of the reference models of modern cross country, was used as the basis for a completely original artistic intervention. Lionel Smit worked directly on unpainted carbon frames, applying paint manually and without a predefined design.

The process was radically different from a simple graphic scheme or a special paint finish. Each stroke was applied directly to the frame, following the lines and curves of the chassis itself. The result is two unique pieces, where the art is neither reproduced nor replicated.

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Smit, internationally known for his figurative portraits and sculptures, faced here a medium as new as a bicycle designed for competition.

As the artist himself explains: “The bicycle itself is already a work of art. Painting on something that already exists completely changes the way you see the object.”

The result maintains the essence of the Spark RC as a competition machine. The bicycle remains fully functional and suitable for riding, but its identity is redefined through the artistic intervention.

The project also stems from a personal connection between Nino Schurter and Lionel Smit. The Swiss has maintained a strong bond with South Africa for years through competitions, training, and friendships in the country, which facilitated the meeting between the two.

Schurter had been admiring the work of the South African artist for some time, and from that relationship, the idea arose to transfer the language of contemporary art to one of the most advanced competition bicycles in XCO.

Schurter himself explains that, although they come from very different worlds, there is a clear point of connection: “They are completely different lives: he is deeply in his artistic world and I in the world of sports. But even so, we can connect, and these two bicycles represent that friendship that goes beyond art and sport.”

A unique bicycle that will be raffled worldwide

Of the two bicycles created, one will become part of Schurter's personal collection, while the second will be raffled worldwide through the VIPrize platform.

The bicycle will be delivered with the same competition specifications that Schurter himself uses, and the winner will also receive the bike directly from the hands of the Swiss champion.

Each entry in the raffle will support World Bicycle Relief, an organization that SCOTT and Schurter have collaborated with for years.

Schurter's relationship with this organization is not new. For years, the Swiss has used his participation in the Cape Epic to auction the bicycle he competed with in the South African event and allocate the funds to charitable projects.

Although he will not be present at the race in 2026, the Swiss champion seems determined to keep the tradition alive, this time with one of the most special bicycles seen in recent cross country.

The mission of World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief is a non-profit organization that works to improve access to mobility in rural communities around the world.

Through the distribution of Buffalo Bicycles, bicycles specifically designed for demanding conditions, the project enables students to attend school, healthcare professionals to reach patients in remote areas, and farmers to transport their products to market.

The initiative seeks to demonstrate how something as simple as a bicycle can transform access to education, health, and economic opportunities.

Setup and raffle of the SCOTT Spark RC x Lionel Smit x Nino Schurter

• Frame: SCOTT Spark RC HMX, size M
• Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant, 120 mm, offset 44 mm
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Flight Attendant, 120 mm
• Remote control: SRAM AXS Pod Ultimate
• Handlebar: Syncros Fraser IC SL WC (-40°, 80 mm, 700 mm)
• Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS 31.6 mm (100 mm)
• Saddle: Syncros Belcarra R 1.0
• Grips: Syncros Silicone GR-M100
• Rear derailleur: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission
• Shifter: SRAM AXS Pod Ultimate
• Crankset: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission with power meter, 170 mm, chainring 36T
• Chain: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission Flattop
• Cassette: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission 10-52T
• Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate
• Wheels: Syncros Silverton SL
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 29x2.40 WT Testpilot EXO/TR

Here you can participate in the raffle for the bicycle painted by Lionel Smit. The winner will receive this unique SCOTT Spark RC, with the same setup that Nino Schurter uses in training and competition, from the hands of the racer himself at the MTB World Cup in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).

The prize also includes two tickets for the event, flights from anywhere in the world, and accommodation for two people. Each entry is made through a donation, and the funds raised will go to World Bicycle Relief, an organization that works to improve access to education, health, and economic opportunities in rural communities through the use of bicycles.