Mavic Trans Provence 2012 Day Five
Day five of the Mavic Trans-Provence showed in equal measure the spirit of cooperation and support that has always been the part of the spirit of Mavic Trans – Provence, but also the transition of the event, the sport, and the concept of multi day enduro style racing. From a mostly amateur affair to a to a recognised discipline in its own right, and with it the need for more stringent rules and the application of penalties for those that break them.
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Day five itself is a very physical day with some of the hardest pedaling Special Stages of the week, while still remaining really technical. If you’re not already spent after four days of riding and racing the days Special Stages are punctuated by big asphalt climbs over two Cols.
So lets talk about the spirit of the event then, and what makes it so special. Yesterday saw Fabien Barel happily lend his spare Mondraker to one of our amateur racers to ride after he broke his own bike. No fuss, no drama just another rider helping out another rider – Watching the riders face as he was handed Fabien’s nearly brand new Mondraker was a priceless moment.
More of the spirit of camaraderie was seen at the top of the second Col, and the start of Special Stage three. Mixed groups of riders clean the last of the climb, maybe led out by a pro downhiller with a xc world cup racer in tow, the most unlikely grouping of riders imaginable taking turns to slug it out in front. Taking time to catch their breath, sitting along the edge of the start of third Special Stage to cheer each other on through the first few switch backs .
Imagine dropping in to a section and being whooped and whistled for your efforts by Mark Weir, Fabien Barel, Nico Vouilloz , Nicolas lau , Matti Lehikoinen ,Anne-Caroline Chausson and Adam Craig to name but a few and you’re just a regular rider who’s out for the week to take part. Where else are you going to being cheered on by some of the fastest riders in the world? All of this happens, and it only happens at Mavic Trans- Provence!
Those of you that have been following the event will also be aware that yesterday for the first time in the history of Mavic Trans-Provence time penalties we’re given out for cutting corners on sections.
This year , perhaps reflecting the way the event has changed, rules have been added regarding cutting corners through switchbacks, as much as anything to protect the trails that we’re privileged to be able to use, and secondly to keep competition fair, whilst we cannot police every corner if riders are openly cutting corners in front of riders, they will be and were time penalised.
Fri 28th Sep, 2012 @ 4:50 pm
