Anyone who wants to can ride an MTB marathon every weekend. This weekend at the BIKE Festival in Riva del Gardathe week after at the Marchtal Bike Marathon in Baden-Württemberg and shortly afterwards the Willingen BIKE Marathon. There are so many events on offer that one season is not enough to cover all the highlights on the racing calendar. However, anyone looking for a very special challenge should make a note of the weekend around 12 May 2018. That's when the legendary Transvésubienne for the 26th time in total. For those in the know, the name of the organiser immediately rings a bell. Because George Edwards is known for his extraordinary events. He is the man who organised 2000 enduro bikers at the Megavalanche race in Alpe d'Huez from the Pic Blanc in mass start mode. And he is the man who, 30 years ago, realised that marathons do not necessarily have to consist of a series of gravel roads. That's why he created the Transvésubienne, a mountain bike race that requires the endurance of a marathon rider as well as the riding technique of an enduro rider. Is the route really that demanding or are the stories about the race just a myth?
The qualification is more enduro than marathon
The best starting places in the marathon are always fiercely contested. In France, however, there is no point in simply lining up in the starting block as early as possible, as there is a qualifying session on the Saturday before the race. As with the Megavalanche, different starting waves of 20 bikers each are sent off in a mass start from the mountain station of the La Colmain cable car. Only those who are among the top ten riders at the start on the ten-kilometre single trail will be allowed to start the race in the first starting block on Sunday. However, the qualification requires more riding technique than endurance. This is because the single trail winds its way down 800 metres into the valley and provides a rough foretaste of what awaits the participants on Sunday. Tight hairpin bends, nasty scree sections and endless roots. "Real mountain biking," smiles George Edwards. Those not taking part in the qualification simply have to line up one starting block further back. Qualifying finishers receive a time credit of 15 minutes on their normal Sunday race time.
Sunday will be hard
Those who survive the qualification can look forward to a good portion of single trails on Sunday. Although the pure route data on paper reads like that of an average middle distance in Germany, usually only just over half of all participants make it to the finish. Anyone who thinks that the 72 kilometres and around 2550 metres in altitude to pedal uphill will be completed in no time at all is not taking into account the 4050 metres of descent that have to be covered from the start in St. Martin Vesubie to the finish on the beach in Nice. The entire route runs exclusively on singletrack trails. Immediately after the start, the field sorts itself out on a 500 metre climb before heading downhill towards the sea. If you haven't lost sight of nature after the first climb, you will be rewarded with a view over the Maritime Alps to the Côte d'Azur from the highest point. After that, the route tends to go downhill, but remains extremely strenuous. Both downhill and uphill, the technical trails demand the constant attention, riding skills and fitness of the participants. It is not uncommon to have to move the rear wheel downhill or shoulder the bike uphill and carry it over large boulders. Anyone who thinks they could beat the winning time of just under six hours with a hardtail or marathon fully is very much mistaken. The rough terrain of the Vesubie Valley north of Nice requires at least a trail bike, most participants even start with an enduro bike and need well over seven hours for the entire distance. As is so often the case in marathons, very few of the starters are out to win. Those who complete the entire Transvésubienne distance in the 13-hour time limit are usually satisfied with themselves. After taking a look at the route, we all agree. We don't know of a more technical MTB marathon in Europe. The Transvésubienne will probably live up to its legendary reputation again this year.
Click here to register
Last-minute bookings can still be made for 79 euros until 6 April. register here. Those who prefer to tackle the route without the stress of racing and with shuttle support can book a extended weekend under the leadership of George Edwards book in person.
