The final day at the Trans-Savoie 2014 saw racers high on the slopes above Les Contamines-Mont Blanc with an insanely technical morning session that seemed to be loved by the fastest riders in the field, but frustrated some of the tired competitors after five full days of energy sapping efforts. Two metre rock drops and continuous mazes of slippy huge roots didn't make things easy, but after lunch the riders were treated to a mammoth, flowing, swooping 1,500m plus final descent from the top of Mont Joly in the shadow of the glaciers and towering peaks of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain.
Nash Masson from Bothy Bikes in Aviemore, Scotland nailed the super-tech 'WTF' Stage One the best, throwing down the fastest time on the gnarly stage by enough of a margin to maintain the overall quickest time on the day from Polygon's Jamie Nicoll.
After a full week of everything the Savoie region could throw at the racers, and almost four hours of timed full-on descending (even with one day cancelled 00m of flowindue to crazy weather), Kiwi Jamie Nicoll (Polygon) took the overall fastest time and title of Trans-Savoie Champion 2014 with Scotish riders Gary Forrest (WTB) in second place and 'loose as a goose' Nash Masson in third place.
In the women's competition US rider Lisa Curry (Gallatin Alpine Sports) stormed the field, with Rachael Gurney (EnduroMTB/Flare clothing) following and Alice Flower in third place. Special mention goes to ex-motorcycle road racer, Scott Stephenson, riding to a top ten position overall as a Veteran.
With 17 nationalities taking part, a former World Champion, Steve Peat, showing how to nail the endless Alpine tracks even with a 'Josh Bryceland 2014 World Cup Champion' hangover, and every kind of terrain and challenge you can face riding downhill on a mountain bike, the 2014 edition of the Trans-Savoie has been unforgettable for everyone involved. The total time on the clock ranged from just under four hours at the head of the field (not even counting the day cancelled for safety reasons), but think about the riders bringing up the back of the pack with an aggregate of almost eight hours of timed descent during the week - that's a full working day spent racing downhill!!
Full results here:
sportident.co.ukWe'll be back with a full Trans-Savoie highlights video in the coming days including stacks of unseen footage.
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