The Trans-Provence - 6 Days of Alpine Racing
 | What I want to achieve with the Trans-Provence is to portray what mountain biking is for me. It should be hard physically. It should be varied. It should cover a vast variety of mountain wilderness. The area ranging from the High Alps to the Mediterranean sea offers this mix. There are so many crazy beautiful singletracks, ranging from incredibly flowy to hardcore downhill. This is the Trans-Provence. Ash Smith, organizer of the Trans-Provence |
Six days of stage racing in incredible Alpine landscapes does not even come close to fully describing the Trans-Provence. The race was first organized in 2009, with a small group of riders and was blind racing at its best, with trails hardly known to many. In the following years, the race gained its reputation among mountain bikers as one of the most incredible adventures to be had on a bike.
The race starts in Embrun and finishes six days later in Menton, France. Riders cover 271 kilometers, climb 9.177 meters, descend 18.003 meters and race 24 specials. Each year, the event is limited to 84 riders as this is the maximum capacity to which some of the campsites can cater to. The event is fully self-sufficient, with an incredible staff of crew providing each and every detail for the riders. Breakfast, lunch, feeding stations and three-course meals. Tents are ready and waiting at every next stop. The Trans-Provence truly is a journey as it meanders through.
Ancient villages and churches, picturesque bars and sights to behold.
One of the most famous trails in the Trans-Provence, not included in this year's edition. Donkey Darko.
Mark Weir, Nicolas Vouilloz, and Fabien Barel checking the map. The event's small number of participants makes for an intimate event with both pros and amateur riders alike.
This week is tough, for racers and material.
Trails, trails and more trails. Gnarly, flowy, rocky. You will have it all.
Comparing times, even if you're riding for fun.
Never forget you are in the mountains. In 2012 all hell broke loose which caught riders by surprise. Thunder, rain and hail.
We media squids have our own luxury hotel at some locations. Try beating this.
Vouilloz's dad provided some espresso reinforcement for his son.
Trails to behold.
Exposure is included.
Climbs can take long and some will include long, long walks.
Some shins after a week of racing in the Mediterranean.
| I don't race. Haven't in many years. I am a media squid through and through. Typically when I cover Enduro events, I don't get after it because I'm hyper aware of the expensive and fragile glass I carry around on my back. If it breaks, I can't do my job, if I break, I can't do my job. So when I arrived at Camp Zero and picked up my media registration and found a race plate, I was a bit surprised. Ash wanted a bit of a racing perspective on the event. I haven't trained for this, I trained to keep up as media on my short break at home. As a world cup and EWS photographer, saddle time in the summer isn't quite as frequent as I would always like it. Be that as it may, I'm going to give it a shot tomorrow. I won't be going full tilt, because, well, if I break I can't do my job. If I feel good about it at days end, I might tackle another day and keep reporting from a racers perspective. If not, I'll be more than happy to resume life as a media squid. Now I just have to shake this jetlag and get a good nights sleep.Matthew Delorme - Pinkbike Photographer |
End of a slippery prolog ride. Nothing but a bunch of smiling muddy faces.
Sam Needham helping a fellow media squid out. Preview of day two.
Down time will be minimal during the next five days. Best to enjoy it while we can.
What do you do when your bike doesn't show up and you can't ride the prolog? Nap.
Tent city. Each racer has their own home sweet home for the next five days.
Home for the next week. Not mine, mine looks far worse as I am housing all my camera gear as well.
This is where we're going. Menton beach.
Tomorrow brings the first day of the 2016 Trans-Provence. 38 kilometers with 1709 meters of climbing and 2502 meters of climbing. We're off to bed.
Follow the race live via www.trans-provence.com and check back for our mid-week update.
MENTIONS: @ikeizer
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20 Comments
- 14 1
holdogs
(Jun 18, 2016 at 16:27)
1709 metres of climbing and 2502 metres of climbing!? Go home trans-provence, you're drunk.
- 3 0
EnduroManiac
(Jun 19, 2016 at 0:25)
Believe me, they are worth it.
- 2 0
ikeizer
(Jun 19, 2016 at 10:13)
Oops 
- 4 0
OlavA
(Jun 19, 2016 at 3:45)
I've been lucky to do both this and Trans-Savoie. I really hope to do T-P again some day. The atmosphere is so amazing. It's a race but with the feeling of a gigantig group ride where everybody help one another through the mountains and having a good time at camp in the evening. Doesn't matter if your name is Nico Lau or John Slow. The quality and quantity of the trails is mind blowing. And the feeling of reaching the mediterrean after 6 days is just so good!
- 1 0
rifu
(Jun 19, 2016 at 19:12)
A pinkbike user has been watching too much game of thrones.
- 1 0
ibeaver
(Jun 19, 2016 at 2:51)
@irmo - whats the third rule of TP? always check your cleats before leaving camp :-) ( awesome photos as always!! see you at Lenzerheide?)
- 1 0
ikeizer
(Jun 19, 2016 at 10:14)
HahahaI vaguely remember 
. Lenzerheide it is!
. Lenzerheide it is!- 3 2
buildabikes
(Jun 18, 2016 at 18:43)
Second pic checker board floor...asbestos tiles. Extremely toxic. Stay away. Ride faster.
- 3 0
Boardlife69
(Jun 18, 2016 at 23:51)
Nude dude in shower. That's even worse.
- 1 2
yxbix
(Jun 19, 2016 at 4:04)
@Boardlife69: might be the first time we see ass on PB
- 1 0
JohnMichaelHauer
(Jun 18, 2016 at 21:33)
Gutted for Ben, naps are great but we want to see that kid get loose!
- 1 0
w3bbo
(Jun 19, 2016 at 2:47)
nicolas vouilloz wearing giro hemet?! thought he was with tld?....
- 2 0
ikeizer
(Jun 19, 2016 at 10:15)
This was one of the previous years. He's not racing this year.
- 3 0
ryanthedestroyer
(Jun 19, 2016 at 11:20)
Old photo bro
- 4 0
ikeizer
(Jun 19, 2016 at 11:51)
@ryanthedestroyer: so old. Ancient
- 2 0
SillyTorque
(Jun 20, 2016 at 3:56)
yeah and add to that Fabian Barel wearing a Moonraker shirt......
- 1 0
nardex
(Jun 19, 2016 at 21:48)
Blue tent with each number so cool...zzzz
- 2 0
endurocat
(Jun 18, 2016 at 18:30)
That race is no Joke!
- 1 0
vinay
FL (Jun 19, 2016 at 3:58)
Mick Hannah stole Mark Weir's moustache.
- 1 0
BenM11
(Jun 19, 2016 at 2:53)
Best event of the year!!
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