In the final stage, 1800 m up in the rain with a double passage in the twisty Col de La Forclaz where from the first light of dawn around 3000 spectators went up to cheer on their favorites, William Bon Mardion and Xavier Gachet won the stage and Pierra trailing our Robert Antonioli – Davide Magnini by just 34”.
That’s right, after 4 intense days of racing in which 212 teams from 18 different countries overcame more than 11,000 meters of positive altitude difference with endless uphill turnarounds, aerial crests, steep gullies and acrobatic off-piste descents, the first two pairs were separated by only 34″.
The pink challenge was more defined with the local champions Axelle Mollaret – Emily Harrop who triumphed on the mountains of houses, distancing our Giulia Murada – Alba De Silvestro by 20′. Ranking in hand for the boys from Arêches, this was the first victory together in the super classic defined by all as the Tour de France of ski mountaineering.
Their final time of 10h00’43” allowed them to prevail over the Antonioli – Magnini duo (+34”) and the Mathéo Jacquemoud – Jakob Herrmann duo (+6’25”). Maximilien Drion – Nadir Maguet and Aurelien Dunand Pallaz – Simon Bellabouvier complete the top five. On the women’s side, the home champions completed their triumphant run with a poker of victories in as many days. Their final time is impressive: 11h54’04” which sees them in 20th position overall.
Gritting their teeth and demonstrating class to spare, the Alpine team of CS Ordine Giulia Murada – Albe De Silvestro legitimized the second place in the final with a gap of 20’10”. On the podium with them the locals Célia Perillat Pessey – Lorna Bonnel (+31’50”). Followed in fourth and fifth place are the sisters Léna and Candice Bonnel and the Italians Martina Valmassoi – Corinna Ghirardi.
YOUTH RACE: Pierra is also a myth and the goal of many champions of tomorrow who can compete here on courses of obviously shorter length and difference in altitude, but still highly selective. Success under 20 by Edoardo Mottini – Simone Compagnoni and Maria Butxaca – Anna Pedranzini. If Lorenzo Milesi – Umberto Ferrazza, Olga Corti – Annalisa Pitscheider won the under 18 race, among the under 16s the first to cross the finish line were Leonardo Milesi – Alex Vavassori and Coline Verney – Laura Berthod.
Click here for the photos by Maurizio Torri!!
1970-01-01 00:00:00
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