Trans-Savoie Day Two (VIDEO)

Day two of the Trans-Savoie was underway yesterday with riders having to tackle 5,450m (yes! 5,450m) of timed descent.

The day’s racing started in Les Arcs, which is served by a mountain tramway that ascends to almost 1,000m above the valley of Bourg St Maurice. The riding at this stage featured 1,400m of timed descent with a real techy edge to it. The wet weather certainly made things even more trickier, too.

Climbing was almost non-existent in the morning with riders making the most of the lifts on offer before making it over to Vallandry for the black graded “Elle Chablatte.”

The third stage saw the competitors take to the steep and sinuous “Axe Wound” trail- which in places has been hand crafted by a master trail designer.

The riders were treated to a huge Vanoise Express cable car that took them over on the La Plagne side of the hill for the next two stages.

The first was named “Champion’s Method,” which spread across 550m of quick forest loam. The penultimate stage of the day was similar but even slippier thanks to the rain that followed the riders throughout the day. This stage was named “Gold Rush” in memory of Brian Goldsworthy who was a competitor from year one of the event.

The final action from day two added 850m of descent along a former footpath which has now been developed as a black graded trail.

Nico Lau continues to lead the pack, with Francois Billy Maitre and Jamie Nicoll holding the second and third spots.

In the women’s leaderboard, Meggie Bichard unsurprisingly held first. Kerstin Kogler finished second with Lisa Curry taking up the third position.

Full standings after day two available here.