19/08/2018

Hautacam and the Hautes-Pyrénées - Splendid!

Getting underway once again in Pau this morning, the second stage of the Haute Route Pyrenees 2018 saw riders set off for a demanding stage that would finish in the ski resort of Hautacam. The sun rose above the Pyrenees in the distance as the riders rolled out towards the first timing mat and real start of the stage, ready to take on four cols and nearly 4000m of climbing.

Similar to yesterday, most were able to ride in large groups in order to cover the flatter section of the stage together, able to conserve energy by working together and ride faster in the process. The groups began to split as they reached the foothills of the Col d’Aubisque, winding uphill through the forest from Béost to Eaux-Bonnes before turning onto the main road that would take them to the summit.

Standing high above the valleys below, with a stunning 360o panoramic view over the surrounding mountains, Gretchen Miller was delighted to be riding the Haute Route Pyrenees for the second year running “Aubisque is the best climb of the whole week!” she exclaimed, “it’s the reason I came back. We’d done some of today’s climbs before, it’s a stunning stage”.

A narrow and snaking descent ensued, taking the riders towards a short climb up to the summit of the Col de Soulor before turning left and heading right the way back down into the valley and towards the foot of the Col de Spandelles.

Winding its way through the forest, isolated from the world, the road up to the Col de Spandelles is stunning and offered a tough challenge as the third col of the day. Sauli Haahtela from Finland enjoyed it but admitted it was the toughest climb of the day: “Spandelles was the toughest climb today,” he said, “and my friend Teemu was pacing it so he wanted to make me suffer,” he said laughing and pointing towards a smilling Teemu Suominen.

“This is my first Haute Route,” added Teemu, “it was beautiful, the scenery is mind-blowing, I’m really enjoying it so far”.

Crossing the timing mat at the top of the Col de Spandelles, riders were able to take a break to refill their bottles and their pockets before taking their time to descend the narrow road and make their way through Argelès-Gazost into the foot of the final climb. Turning past the race village and out of town, the final timed section began at the foot of the climb and would last just over 12km to the finish line in Hautacam.

The final climb of the day was not to be underestimated, although the stage was shorter than yesterday, there was more climbing and a summit finish to be contested with. The road to Hautacam makes its way through a few small villages before opening up with a tantalising view on the finish line above from a few kilometres out.

Swiss rider Julien Holzer enjoyed riding the stage with his friend Hervé and reflected on the final climb whilst recovering in Hautacam; “The climb is one that suits me, you just have to manage your effort throughout,” he said, “I’ve done the Haute Route Dolomites before and the Alps as well but never the Pyrenees, so this week is a week of discovery and adventure, I’m really enjoying the course so far it is really beautiful”.

Kelli Bayliss was equally impressed with her second day on the Haute Route, and looking forward to the rest of the week as well: “I preferred today to yesterday, there were more climbs,” she said with a smile on her face, “it’s nice to finish on the summit with a beautiful view as well”.

At the front of the race Ruari Grant from the UK took the stage win and the leader’s jersey in the process, whilst Hannah Rhodes Patterson took her second stage win to conserve her leader’s jersey. In the Duo race Team Minttuliina took the stage win today.

Tomorrow’s stage is a loop around Argelès-Gazost of 117km with 3300m of climbing with an ascent up the Tourmalet and summit finish on the Col de Couraduque