Video: Damien Oton's Winning Megavalanche Run

Jul 19, 2018
by Sarah Moore  

Damien Oton won the Megavalanche Alpe D'Huez 2018 with a time of 38:55, almost a minute ahead of Miranda Racing Team's Jose Borges.

See Ratboy (9th) and Loosedog (33rd) tackle the course in this video and Ben Deakin (83rd) in this video.

MENTIONS: @devinci


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52 Comments
  • 36 2
 One of the frenchest french lines I have ever seen in my life at 04:55! Totally legal and one of the creative elements that makes the Mega events so sick!
  • 8 2
 Well, the arrow indicated right.
  • 11 0
 its tough to understand how ridiculously fast he is moving through that section and most of the upper rocky stuff because he's gotta be just skipping and floating through most of that. if you watch amateur footage of guys riding those same sections (who are still good riders btw) they are nowhere near that pace and you can see how actually jarring and un-flowy all of rocks are. so fun to watch...
  • 10 1
 @hubertje-ryu: no tape = legal
  • 3 1
 @hubertje-ryu: you only have to go between the markers. Anything not marked is an option.
  • 6 0
 That was the main line until 10 or 12 years ago. Anyone remembers Earthed 3? This was the place where a guy crashes and his bike plummets hundreds of meters down the mountain. Search "earthed 3 mega".
  • 1 0
 He won the race in the upper part. His line choice up there was really strong and the pace he rode in these sections was just insane. Another level
  • 3 0
 @nozes: Thanks for this piece of history Smile
  • 1 0
 It's actually not a "french" line at all and is clearly within course boundary if you watch other POV's
  • 15 0
 Holy shit the guy at 1:26 was flying!
  • 5 0
 How fast was he going! How possible?? No understand :/
  • 2 0
 @rookie100: Considering previous records of speed on the Mega and looking at his pace, I am pretty sure he is well above 100 km/h!
  • 2 0
 dude was nuts.
  • 4 0
 @rookie100: NITRO ACTIVATED
  • 3 0
 @RedBurn: vtec kicked in yo!
  • 1 0
 Toretto: Too soon.
  • 10 0
 Man, what an anticlimax coming into that finishing corral.
  • 5 0
 Its lonely at the top, ehm bottom Wink
  • 7 0
 After i saw this i am totally fine being almost 22 minutes slower than Damian, his speed is scary!
  • 3 0
 I like in the ratboy video (at 2.39) you can hear him say "suck it you little f*cker!!" to Oton as he passes him. Then in the Oton video, all you hear is unintelligible shouting when he passes Ratboy (at 2.2Cool , but you know what he is yelling. that shit cracks me up.
  • 3 0
 Wait...you mean Ratboy is the intelliigble one!?
  • 6 0
 Last overtake starts at 07:15
  • 27 0
 Very cool of the lead rider to wave him by.
  • 2 0
 @Endurahbrah: yeah i think it is stefan peter from switzerland, he was so under pressure and near death so it was a really good idea to let damian pass Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @Endurahbrah: he knew it was over when oton got out of saddle while passing...lol
  • 6 0
 I can't understand how he goes so fast through the hairpin turns.
  • 6 0
 his shadow is faster...
  • 2 0
 Seems to me the key to winning this race - or at least doing well - is not crashing at the start on the ice. Also love the fact that you see a different view of Ratboy and loose dog's runs showed the other day on pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 I really wish that they would put the KPH/MPH int he upper portion of the frame. I bet some of higher speeds that he reached are just staggering!

Also, I love how uncluttered the race is for the folks in front (especially the start and the upper sections). The rest of the herd just becomes a mass of bodies, bikes, snow, and blood in the beginning KMs.
  • 4 0
 Whoever are the 8 guys who finished before Ratboy... respect!!
  • 4 0
 Ridiculously fast riding, he doesn't let go at all. Massive respect.
  • 1 0
 Mountain of Hell and Kilian Bron also should make a spot here with this incredible, emotionant, and well filmed, run:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p0ck5We5sU
See also how they let open the creative lines between gates...
  • 3 0
 That has to be exhausting
  • 2 0
 More than you believe.
  • 1 0
 What planet is Oton from?? It sure as hell isn't Earth.

Also, another thought struck me at about the 25min mark. Imagine riding this course in rain...
  • 1 0
 Hands gotta be destroyed by the end of this race...I'd love to try it someday.
  • 2 0
 That's ludicrous and great at the same time. Yr a champion!
  • 1 0
 Unbelievable speeds and amazing riding. I was saying "Holy $hit!" at a few places... Congrats on the win!
  • 3 1
 Long Live Chainsaw! Well done Damian Oton, crushed it. Way to represent.
  • 2 0
 How does one secure a spot near the start tape? Seems important.
  • 4 0
 There is qualifying.
  • 1 0
 that amazing moment at 17:44 when you realise, i've got this and that Helipoter is for me!
  • 2 0
 Holy crap I was glued to the screen the entire time! What a ride!!!
  • 1 0
 What Tires did Damien ride?? Someone knows?
  • 1 0
 Looks like DHR2 in front
  • 1 0
 Very impressive. Sent it. Well done
  • 2 0
 so fast and impressive!
  • 2 0
 \m/ 18:18 \m/
  • 1 0
 That was the gnarliest thing I've seen in quite a while. Props to Oton.
  • 1 0
 Imagine pinning it non stop for 40 minutes. Talk about stamina!
  • 1 1
 El gitano baixa a fonduu! ????????????f*ck spain,
  • 1 0
 This is prognarcore







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