All was not looking rosy in the flowmtb chalet on Friday night. Petra and Jo had just managed to get their bikes fixed by the Sram guys, when Jem discovered his frame was cracked and Rich took out his bottom bracket only to find it threaded and wouldn’t go back in. Luckily Jem had come on holiday with a spare frame (these guys had a week in Verbier too so had not packed light!) and had a late night building that up. Guy offered Rich his spare heckler, but with the late hour, and various parts needing fixing to it he decided against it. Maybe something to do with the rain…..
….that’s right, late on Friday evening the rain came and with it storms. We woke at various times through the night to hear the storm raging and shiver at the thought of going out in it early next morning. Undeterred we headed out at the alloted time of 7am when there seemed to be a brief respite. We got to the midway station on the lift and were all bundled out so they could close the lift as the thunder rumbled. We waited around glad of the shelter as it was once again pouring. Those of us up there were pretty happy not to be in the first wave waiting further up out in the rain. The organisers were waiting for the updated weather at 8am, and all remained amazingly cheery and helpful, depsite having had almost no sleep that night as they tried to plan round the weather.
Sadly the storm meant we couldn’t start up on the glacier and at around 8.30 we were all told to head for the lift up to the qualifier start. As we pedalled over we met quite a few of the guys who’d been waiting up there through the storm and had decided to call it a day. We all headed on and up the lift, disappointed by the lack of glacier, and having to re-ride parts of the qualifier (I think all of our group prefered the Mega track to the qualifier!) but not ready to give up just yet!
We got up top in time to grab a cup of tea and see the first group of guys set off. Straight after the girls were told to line up, cold and nervous we got ready and waited as the organisers explained the new course. The sun even started to poke out from behind the clouds. Then, a quick countdown, the music, and we were off.
Things were looking good until once again my chain jammed. This time somehow it unjammed itself (same tactics as yesterday, but worked!) just as a helpful spectator ran down to my aid (is it something to do with bikes fixing themselves just as a man approaches!) so thanks to my saviour! Annoyed at being passed by a group I had worked hard to over take I jumped back on and pedalled as hard as I could. A stupid overtaking manouver on a rocky corner resulted in a crash that put me back again - must remember to stay calm! One of the lovely things about the race though is how friendly all the girls are. No one passes a crash without checking the rider is ok. I got on and managed to stay on through everything except one of the slidy rooty corners down towards the bottom. The course was in an amazingly good condition given the weather and remained very fast. So top marks to the trail builders. I finished in 18th place at 1 hour 20. The winner, Alpe d’Huez local Ophelie David finished in 1 hour 2 minutes, so I have a long way to go! Tracey Moseley, who won the qualifier, had got stuck down in Oz and missed the start of the race.
Guy also had a great start, leading the Mega Promo for a short while! However, all was not smooth running for him either. A crash, resulting in taking out part of his casette, and a jammed chain later on saw him lose a fair bit of time, but he still managed to come in 11th in the Promo with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes. The overall winner was once again Rene Wildhaber in 45 minutes, 37 seconds, very closely followed by Remy Absalon. Well done to Brits Danny Hart, who came in 14th in 50 minutes and 49 seconds, and Chris Ball who was 15th and just 3 seconds behind Danny. Morzine based MTB guide and instructor Alex Balaud came 5th.
By the time we finished the sun was shining and memeories of the cold wet wait in the rain seemed to fade away. After some much needed food and drink we all loaded bikes into the trailer, jusmped into the flowmtb van and headed up the hill, glad to be avoiding the queue for the bus! Back at base, bikes were washed and fixed, and bacon and egg sandwiches were made (doing the mega entitles you to two lunches) plus lots of tea was drunk, before heading into town for a night out.
Thanks to the race organisers, and we’re looking forward to next year…..
