Mavic Trans-Provence Day 6

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The riders made it through the final stage for a swim in the sea. We can only imagine how blissful that felt. Here’s the final round of story and images from the Trans Provence.

A misty start. Credit: Duncan Philpott
A misty start. Credit: Duncan Philpott

DAY 6 STATISTICS:

Start: Sospel
Finish: Menton
Distance: 65.28km
Ascent: 1230m
Descent: 2691m
No. of Special Stages: 4

Gorillas in the mist? Credit: Sam Needham
Gorillas in the mist? Credit: Sam Needham

Six days ago, a group of strangers would get dropped off at a campsite in Embrun, Hautes-Alpes, France. Six days and a not insignificant 269km later, a group of friends would finish Mavic Trans-Provence and dip themselves in the Mediterranean Sea.

There was still riing to be done on day six. Credit: Duncan Philpott
There was still riing to be done on day six. Credit: Duncan Philpott
Foot out, flat out. Credit: Sven Martin
Foot out, flat out. Credit: Sven Martin

While the heat would dissipate slightly, Day 6 started very humid and under a sizeable inversion that smothered the Col des Braus and the surrounding mountains. The final day of Mavic Trans-Provence 2017 would not be the longest or have the greatest elevation change, but it would come at the end of a long week and the longest day.

Roost! Credit: Sam Needham
Roost! Credit: Sam Needham
Even more roost! Credit: Duncan Philpott
Even more roost! Credit: Duncan Philpott

Sospel is infamous for its mountain biking and it would be here where riders would make the last journey from camp to shuttle to the summit of the Col des Bauns. A Mediterranean feel would be strong throughout, with singletrack proving tight, loose and with the classic switchbacks we’ve all become used to.

Descending ancient trails. Credit: Sven Martin
Descending ancient trails. Credit: Sven Martin
Still time for a last tumble. Credit: Sam Needham
Still time for a last tumble. Credit: Sam Needham

The final day would see speed high as ancient trails wound their way down the hill until the switchbacks threw the eternal problem into the mix as riders could smell the finish and the beer they had earned over the last week of timed trail exploration.

Stairway to heaven(ly swimming)? Credit: Sam Needham
Stairway to heaven(ly swimming)? Credit: Sam Needham
Showing us how it's done. Credit: Sven Martin
Showing us how it’s done. Credit: Sven Martin

Day 6 would see Marco Osborne (Cannondale/WTB) rise to the occasion and snatch the win from François Bailly-Maître (Ibis Cycles Enduro Team). Day 6 would end with a single second between the two rivals. The front two would show their true class as third place finisher Olivier Giodanengo slip back to over two minutes in the overall standings.Time at Mavic Trans-Provence 2017, as with the previous editions of this unique race, becomes a very different constant. 19 seconds, the winning margin is just a number. Time at this race comes and goes with the wind, 19 seconds is both a moment and a lifetime.

Tunnel of love? Credit: Sam Needham
Tunnel of love? Credit: Sam Needham
Final hurdles. Credit: Sam Needham
Final hurdles. Credit: Sam Needham

Ines Thoma (Canyon Factory Enduro Team) was untouchable throughout the week and proved it by putting 35 seconds into second place Anka Martin (Juliana/SRAM), giving her a whopping six minute advantage in the general classification. Anka Martin (Juliana, SRAM) would keep Monika Buchi (Schmid Velosport, RC Graenichen) behind her to take the runner’s up spot behind a flying Ines Thoma.

Party in the sea. Credit: Sven Martin
Party in the sea. Credit: Sven Martin
Celebration. Credit: Sam Needham
Celebration. Credit: Sam Needham

A massive thanks from everyone at the Trans-Provence team for another year, thanks for checking in to catch the action through the week. Until next year!

Sharing the love on the socials. Credit: Sven Martin
Sharing the love on the socials. Credit: Sven Martin

PODIUMS AFTER DAY 6:

Pro Men
1. Marco Osborne (Cannondale/WTB) 2:34:39
2. François Bailly-Maître (Ibis Cycles Enduro Team) 2:34:58
3. Ludo May (BMC Ride Crew Team) 2:43:46
4. Jamie Nicoll (Santa Cruz Bicycles/Hope/Fox) 2:46:23
5. Max Schumann (Santa Cruz Bicycles) 2:47:39

Pro Men's podium. Credit: Sven Martin
Pro Men’s podium. Credit: Sven Martin

Women
1. Ines Thoma (Canyon Factory Enduro Team) 3:06:14
2. Anka Martin (Juliana/SRAM) 3:12:02
3. Monika Büchi (Schmid Velosport/RC Graenichen) 3:12:51
4. Martha Gill (Marin/Stan’s NoTubes) 3:29:10
5. Emma Neale 3:32:35

Credit: Sam Needham
Women’s podium. Credit: Sam Needham

Master (M40 Men)
1. Olivier Giordanengo (LAPIERRE/MAVIC/La Roue Libre) 2:37:39
2. Rene Wildhaber (Trek/Red Bull/IXS) 2:41:05
3. Antti Laiho (Suunto) 2:50:40
4. Shane Kroeger (Santa Cruz/Derailed) 3:00:07
5. Anthony Mayr (fusion-world.ch/trailworks.ch) 3:02:21

Credit: Sam Needham
Master Men’s podium. Credit: Sam Needham

Amateur Men
1. Christoffer Brochs (Trek/USWE/Velorapide) 2:49:04
2. John Owen (Orange Bikes) 2:51:15
3. Rich Norgate (Magic Rock Racing/Orange) 2:51:39
4. Seb Kemp (Santa Cruz Bicycles) 2:52:51
5. Sebastian Beilmann (MTB-News.de) 3:01:47

Credit: Sam Needham
Amateur Men’s podium. Credit: Sam Needham

Day 6 results here.

Overall classification here. Perhaps proving that beer is good for you, our man Stu Taylor for Kirby Lonsdale Brewery finished in a very respectable 37th place.

Tom Hill, in a class of his own. Credit: Sven Martin
Tom Hill, in a class of his own. Credit: Sven Martin
Party pants! Credit: Sam Needham
Party pants! Credit: Sam Needham

And here’s one last video for you – will you be signing up for next year? We’re certainly tempted.

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Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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