Race report Megavalanche 2024

After the long car journey, we didn't miss the chance to conquer the 21 bends to Alpe d'Huez. The 15 kilometers and almost 1100 vertical meters definitely got us going again, but were not our focus for the week! Ahead of us lies the legendary Megavalanche! A mass start enduro race that starts on the 3300 meter high "Pic Blanc". After several kilometers of descent on ski slopes, the route then becomes more and more like a normal trail and ends in Allemond. A total of 2600 meters of descent have to be overcome, and the first to reach the valley is the winner. The qualifying race the day before determines the starting position for the main race. Sounds crazy? It is! In addition to the main race at the weekend, there are other cool events during the week such as the "Dual Slalom" and the "Chainless Race".

Training

On Thursday we did our first (and only) Megavalanche training run from the glacier down to the steeper trail sections and technical turns. We then did a final training run on the qualifying course. It doesn't start as high as the race, but it's quite a challenge with some rocky sections and two snowfields.

Race day

After a victory for the French in the European Championship quarter-finals, the night in Alpe d'Huez turned into day, which robbed our three athletes of some sleep. After a short night, the alarm clock rang at 04:45 a.m. The weather had deteriorated considerably during the night. The start was therefore postponed. The qualification course was run again, which then led to the actual downhill. However, this did not make the race any easier, as it started to rain at the start line.

As there was no separate race for the women, Kelan, Lukas and Helen started together with over 100 other racers. The famous ALARMA song rang out and the race began. Kelan got into pole position and led the race, with Lukas and Helen also securing solid positions. Early in the race, Lukas was able to establish himself in the top 10. In a rocky section of the race, he unfortunately hit a rock and got a flat tire.

"The women started together with the men in the mass start, so we had to put our elbows out and try to get as far ahead as possible in the first few corners. Then finding the right line over the open mountain and through the deep snow tracks without falling was a real challenge! First wobbly overtaking maneuvers on rocky terrain, then into slippery bends. Followed by even more overtaking maneuvers, down into some fresh trail sections. I am all the more pleased to have won the women's e-bike category! Probably the longest and craziest downhill race I've ever done!" (Helen)

"The Mega is absolutely unique! The race has never been part of my contract, but I've never been able to resist skipping the Mega. The feeling of going head to head with hundreds of racers is simply indescribable. As this was my 5th Mega I felt more than ready! I had the perfect start to the race and was able to take the lead on the first straight. I knew from previous years, but it's not good to ride the whole race from the front. That's why I let Damien Oton (multiple EWS and Mega winner) past to ride in the slipstream on some of the straights. Unfortunately, the tactic didn't pay off. The rain turned the flowing corners in the lower part of the course into an ice rink. A small crash then cost me too much time. At least I still finished second and will definitely be back to win next year." (Kelan)