The Megavalanche mass downhill in Alpe d'Huez, France, is probably one of the most breathtaking freeride mountain bike races ever. And one of the most legendary since the first edition in 1995. And the longest. You could almost run out of superlatives to describe this spectacle.
The start is at an altitude of almost 3330 metres, on the summit of the Pic Blanc in the French Western Alps. The name of the mountain says it all: it translates as "white peak" and is also covered in snow in summer.
It definitely takes an extra dose of courage and determination to plunge over the snow fields of the glacier in the mass start and through the scree of the subsequent bumpy slopes to the finish line 2600 metres below.
French series winner Rémy Absalon was once again unbeatable in 2016. He needed just under three quarters of an hour to complete the downhill marathon. The race starts in countless categories. All results lists are available on the Megavalanche website here
Here are the five fastest men and women. Plus: the pictures that show all the action. Have fun watching!
Top 5 of the men 2016
1st ABSALON, Rémy (FRA, SCOTT)
2nd OTON, Damien (FRA, DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING)
3rd BAILLY MAITRE, François (FRA, BMC MTB RACING)
4th WILDHABER, Gustav (SUI, CUBE ACTON TEAM)
5th RAVANEL, Cedric (FRA, COMMENCAL VALLNORD ENDURO TEAM)
Top 5 ladies 2016
1st DIEFFENTHALER, Pauline (FRA, CANNONDALE)
2nd BARAONA, Rebecca (GBR, F-RIDERS-INC)
3. CHARLES, Estelle (FRA, ENDUR BREIZH TEAM)
4th SLACO, Emily (CAN, LAPIERRE NORTH AMERICA)
5. BRAUMANN Birgit (TREK GRAVITY GIRLS)
Sebastian Brust
Editor
