Day five dropped away from the higher alpine riding of the previous days to Beaufort, a quite town off-the-beaton-track.
Route: Beaufort, Beaufort-Arêches.
Total distance: 44.3km
Total timed descent: 3,560m
Number of stages: 6
With the trails leaving the higher mountains and scenery behind the riders found themselves on tighter tree lined singletrack. We all know what that usually means; loamy goodness, served up with a good helping of roots!
I don’t think many riders would have been complaining about the change in terrain and fewer shark teeth rocks.
Coming away from the ski resorts does reduce the amount of lift accessed trails. Day five only had one chair lift for liason. Riders had to zig-zag their way up and down the hills to access such forest delights.
With all of the trail having a similar high feel to them, it was hard to pick out a individual stage that shone.
Although stage six was probably the most technical of the day stages. It took Nico Lau prisoner with a flatted front in the mid section. Even with a flat front he only lost 10 secs on the chasing pack and somehow Lau managed to hold on to his lead.
Today (Friday) is the last day of racing in the alps. The riders and bikes are no longer hoping to finish the race, they can see the light at the end of the steep techy trails.
Standings after Day Five:
Men:
1. Nico Lau – 3:59:07
2. François Bailly-Maître – 4:02:27
3. Jamie Nicoll – 4:06:05
Women:
1. Meggie Bichard – 5:07:24
2. Kerstin Kögler – 5:24:20
3. Monika Büchi – 5:28:27
Results:
http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2015/Trans-Savoie/
Video (day 4):