Since the 2015 Pierra Menta started on Wednesday, instead of traditionally on Thursday, the usual Saturday’s stage over and around Grand Mont was the final venue in this 30th edition of the race.
Stage 4
The top positions shuffled a bit today but not enough time was lost by the overall leading teams to spoil catching of the grand prize.
In men’s race, the French duo, William Bon Mardion & Xavier Gachet raced their hearts out in front of the huge home crowds to win the stage by 1 minute. Second today, but champions overall, were the strong Italians Damiano Lenzi & Matteo Eydalin.
The top 3 overall looked like this:
- M. Eydallin (IT) / D. Lenzi (IT) – 9h 22min 27s
- W. Bon Mardion (FR) / X. Gachet (FR) – 9h 25min 42s
- M. Boscacci / R. Antonioli – 9h 38min 54s
Women’s race also had a different winner than the last few days. Emelie Forsberg with Axelle Mollaret went for it today and won the stage by almost 3 min. The overall winners, Laetitia Roux & Mireia Miro, did a controlled race today and came in second.
Overall top 3 women teams:
- L. Roux (FR) / M. Miro (ES) – 11h43min10s
- A. Mollaret (FR) / E. Forsberg (S) – 11h51min17s
- S. Pont-Combe (SUI) / J. Fiechter (SUI) – 12h21min31s
North Americans
As links to the official results are broken I don’t know how the North American teams did today. Except, a brief email summary from Eric Carter explains well how the Squamish boys raced today:
We got 15th today and clinched 15th overall! Grand Mont was f*** cool!
The first climb was essentially 1600m, split with just a short descent. Then another huge steep icy descent. Then up onto Grand Mont. First some super icy switchbacks. I started to struggle and asked for a tow but Nick said “No” 🙂 Then we hit the boot-pack and started charging again.
The via Ferrata was pretty crazy. It would have been pretty scary but we were rushing so much I didn’t look down much.
The crowds were nuts. Not only did they line the course but they were like 20 people deep in places. Every summit was packed and they screamed and funnelled us down to single file.
Pretty stoked with where we finished. A little shocked that we made it through four days without any real issues in terms of gear breakage or bodily harm considering the course so stoked about that! Now looking forward to a party!
Next race is the World Cup at Prato Nevoso in Italy. Then Mezzalama!
To put the 15th place in perspective, Eric and Nick matched the best North American placing at Pierra Menta when in 2013, the Canadian duo, Reiner Thoni and Andrew McNab finished 15th as well.
Stano Faban says
Phil:
The best way is when both people wear a harness. The “link” between the two is best to be around 2m when not extended (but depends on how long strides those two take). The “link/rope is setup with about 1ft bungee tied into a 2-4mm rope (again depending on weight of the people). Both ends have small clips or carabiners for quick put on and take off procedure.
And you would be surprised how efficient it is!
Real personal example: Not towing we could have been moving at the pace of my slower partner and risking him cramping up. With towing we went much faster, he didn’t get cramps and I worked as hard/little as I wanted or could. Of course, one always need to judge the effort if there are still more climbs left, cause quickly the shoe could be on the other foot, which is quite weak by that point as well 🙂
Phil says
What are the rigs like that are used to tow a partner?
I’ve never even seen photos of it being done… I’m assuming it is some sort of bungied cord clipped into the harnesses. I find it hard to imagine it being very efficient, but it must work if it is done in races…
David Dornian says
Bernier Melanie / Blikken Haukoy Malen were 6th in the General Classement. Fantastic result for all. By every indication, the PM rocked it this year.
T olsen says
Nice work boys!! Excellent pics. That alpine ascent with numerous switchbacks and gnarly descents is proper!