27/08/2018

A marathon stage in the shadow of a majestic mont Blanc

With 150 kilometres and 3,900 meters of climbing on the programme, the second stage of the 2018 Haute Route Alps was the marathon stage of the week.

“It is a huge day today, with a lot of elevation and kilometres but I will focus on one climb at a time. My main goal is to finish inside the cut off time”, said Meylina Kandoy from Canada on the start line this morning. “I think that the best part of today will be the Col de la Madeleine. I have never climbed this mythical col, moreover, it is the first time for me in the Alps.”

Leaving Megève after two nights in the resort, the peloton rode the first nine kilometres in a secured convoy, escorted by safety motorbikes and cars. Then, riders turned left to take on the first of three ascents of the day, the Col des Saisies. The 13.2km ascent with 5.3 % of average gradient but many sections over 8% immediately stretched out the peloton over many kilometres right at the beginning of the stage.

On the side of the road, Cafépod, besides offering free coffee to all riders every morning, had ignited the atmosphere on the climb of the Col des Saisies, encouraging riders with music and a pink inflatable dinosaur. Surprised by this unusual animation, many riders took their phone out to immortalise this moment.

“The dinosaur, the music, it was really amazing, it gives a little boost”, exclaimed Swiss rider Thomas Maxwell speaking about the ascent of the Saisies. “I have never done this, it is my first Haute Route and it is the first time that I am participating in a competition like this one, with as much intensity. It is really a discovery for me and of course, I tend to give everything I have at the beginning!”

In the fast descent off the summit, riders could enjoy impressive views on the Mont Blanc for the first time of the day, with its summit light up by the morning sun. After then riding 15km in small groups in the valley, riders took on the ascent of Madeleine, the first climb of the week to culminate over 2,000 meters above sea level.

At 25km in length, this ascent can be split into three different sections. Riders first climbed up through the forest where they could enjoy a flat section and a short descent before riding up again through narrow hairpins. In the last 5km of the ascent, participants could enjoy an amazing scenery with the hairpins underneath as they continued to climb up with the Mont Blanc in the backdrop once again.

Wilfred Diepeveen from Netherlands but living in Singapore was seduced by the impressive views on the Roof of Europe: “I feel ‘Magnifique’! Very nice views on the mont Blanc, stunning scenery. Something we don’t have back home. Madeleine is very long but stunning scenery. You just look around and see the beauty of the mountains around you it’s just amazing.”

After an untimed descent of 20km to La Chambre, the riders once again rode in small groups in the Maurienne Valley to reach the bottom of the last difficulty of the day, the Col du Télégraphe, at Saint-Martin-d’Arc. After climbing up 11km and taking a picture in front of the col sign atop Télégraphe, riders then rode down to Valloire to benefit from the riders’ services.

“It was an epic stage”, said Alasdair Storry from the UK after crossing the finish line in the heart of the resort. “This is the first time I have ever seen mont Blanc that was incredible. Where did that come from? That’s beautiful. I’ll get my bike fixed first, then food, massage, and sleep at my hotel to be ready for tomorrow.”

Echoing Alasdair, Christian Magelssen from Norway said: “It was a cool stage, a lot of mythical climbs, there was no time to rest. It’s my first time in the Alps and my first race on a bike so a lot of new experiences. It was really good with really good support throughout.”

At the front of the race, Carlo Fino from Italy took the stage win in front of the race leader Liam Holohan. In the Women’s category, Maria Camila Gianella won her second consecutive stage. With another victory, teams Brao Caffè - Unterthurner and McPherson increased their advantage in the general classification in the Men Duo and Mixed Duo categories.

Tomorrow, the peloton of the Haute Route Alps will take on the Galibier right after leaving Valloire and will climp up Sarenne before a summit finish in the heart of Les 2 Alpes.