Most of the riders on the starting line didn’t quite know what to think about discovering the charred land from this summer’s fires. Jacky Everaerdt who finished 9th shared his experience on the long course under the sun ; « The absence of shade made the ride difficult. After the Bugnon Pass, it was terrifying, a veritable lunar landscape. The smell of fires till lingered along a majority of the course. » Sonia Clolus, obtained the first place for the women in 5h17m38s. A beautiful end to her career.
Tomorrow in the women’s Roc, the Canadian, Alison Sydor, 2003 silver medallist at the world’s in Lugano and triple world champion prior will be the favorite.
Results - Roc Marathon – 88 KM1 – Yohan VACHETTE (F) – Team Scott Portes du Soleil en 3h56’08’’2 – Frédéric FRECH (F) – ASPTT Mulhouse at 3m26s3 – Pascal CATTIN (F) – at 6m54s
Saturday’s Program:
8h-13h Balades du Roc (Road Rides)
9h00 Roc Tandems 39km
10h00 Roc d’Azur Women et espoirs women 39km
11h00 Rando Roc Black course 46km
14h00 Kid Roc 8km
14h30 Kid Roc 4.2 km
14h50 Kid Roc 6,5 km
15h00 Rando Roc Red Course 20km
15h45 Rando Roc Blue Course 8km (8 ans et +)
16h00 Kid Roc 2,3 km
9h-19h Salon du Roc « Free entry »
Events of the Day:
BMX ramp show: 11h00 / 11h40 – 16h25 / 17h00
Dirt Contest -: 13h15/14h10
Pra Loup South Shore : 11h45/12h15 – 17h45/18h15
Qualifications 4X Les Gets:14h15-15h45
KOXX Trial L’Alpe d’Huez : 10h10/10h50 – 15h50/16h20
Roc Mode – Fashion show: 12h30/12h50 - 14h30/14h50 – 16h15/16h35 – 18h00/18h20
KOXX Trial L’Alpe d’Huez : 12h15/12h30 - 14h15/14h30 - 17h45/18h00
Thd Roc d’Azur has begun with the marathon, an 88km challenge, reserved for those with endurance. The mountain bikers went extremely fast gaining 20 minutes over the 2002 edition. There were 600 riders at the start, twice as many as last year. Team Scott dominated the race winning all three spots on the podium. Yohann Vachette won with dignity in 3’56.08 ; « It was my first attempt at such a long distance. I suffered from dehydration at the end and was fortunate to have had such a lead over the otrhers. Without I wouldn’t have won. » Frédéric Fresh, 2002 winner and 2nd this year at 3m26s also suffered as did all the other riders due to the heat and the ultra dry terrain.
