REUNION ISLAND, France (transcendmagazine.com) Nicolas Vouilloz stormed to another mega avalanche win this weekend in Reunion island, winning by a full minute. Hundreds of racers were registered and 11 nations were represented for the event.
The Alien clocked in at 48 minutes and 53 seconds, 63 seconds ahead of second place finishers (and brother of XC world champion Julien Absalon) Remy Absalon. Rene Wildhaber came in fourth and Andrew Neethling rounded out the podium with a top 5 finish.
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Full Results
Julien Camellini (Mojo Orange) checked in with a full report.
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The megavalanche in reunion island is very exciting, you start from the top of the Maïdo 2000m of elevation to finish at the sea level.
The start is like a cross country race, evevrybody is pedalling flat out to make a difference and try to be in the lead before the singletracks. This year it was very dusty and really hard to follow the rider in front of you. The first part of the race was on a crest and more like a cross country than like a downhill. But after this section there was a great downhill where the downhillers could make the difference. The bottom was more physical because of the heat.
Nicolas vouilloz won the race, he was tecnically and physically the best. He prepares every year this mega perfectly and he proved that he hasn't lost his skills. He managed to escape from remy Absalon, Julien's brother, in an uphill on the tarmac which is very impressive. Congratulations to Andrew Neethling who finished fourth for his first mega. My race didn't go very well as I had a problems with my gears and went over the bar in an uphill because of that... Next I'll prepare it differently.
The atmosphere between the riders was great, everybody's coming on holiday there, partying going to the beach and resting. The island is wonderfull, with the volcano, the falls, and all the tropical fruits. If you plan to go riding abroad in december, it is a destination you won't regret.
Julien and Nico - post race and blurry. Click for more photos.
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