11 March 2016

Pierra Menta Day Three

Yet another sunny day, yet another great stage…and the first big surprises. On a day that saw the junior and cadet categories battling it out over a specially designed ‘junior’ course, the winners in the senior category were once again the circuit leaders Kilian Jornet - Mathéo Jacquemoud and Laetitia Roux-Axelle Mollaret. The Franco-Spanish team won convincingly, crossing the line in 2h39’45”.  The Italians Michele Boscacci - Robert Antonioli in 2h41’17” were second at the end of the day, while Alexis Sevennec - Didier Blanc finished third in 2h44’14”.  Local lads William Bon Mardion - Xavier Gachet struggled home in fourth place, with a time of 2h45’16”. With today’s performance, the two Italians confirm their second place in the overall rankings.
 
WOMEN’S RACE –  Between the acknowledged queens of the Pierra and their closest adversaries there’s an abyss: a gap of 27’16”. Today, second place went to Mireia Mirò - Claudia Galicia Cotrina, while the Italians Katia Tomatis and Martina Valmassoi finished third.
 
YOUTH RACE
On the first day of the race, victory went to the French duo Simon Bellabouvier - Samuel Equy who finished in 1h39’00” ahead of the Swiss Arnaud Gasser - Thomas Corthay  (1h42’54”). Third place went to the Franco-Spanish team made up of Iñigo Martinez de Albornoz -  Côme Deruaz (1h43’32”).
 
In the girls’ race, the French duo Léna Bonnel - Adèle Milloz won the day (2h05’32”). Second place went to the Italians, Giulia Compagnoni - Giulia Murada (2h12’22”) with another Italian team, Giorgia Felicetti - Melanie Ploner, finishing third in 2h16’23”.
 
On the cadet course the winners were the Swiss duo Yohan Jaton - Florian Ulrich (1h25’25”), finishing ahead of Daniele Corazza - Giovanni Rossi (1h25’49”) and Sébastien - Fabien Guichardaz (1h26’12). In the girls’ race, the French pair Marie Borriglione - Justine Tonso (1h47’36”) won the day. France also took second place, with Charlotte Iratzoquy - Mallaurie Mattana (1h51’48”) while the Swiss team Margaux Bapst - Valetine Moret finished third (1h57’53”).
 
Now we are all set for tomorrow’s huge Gran Mont stage. We’re all set for the grand finale of what is proving to be a really super Pierra Menta.