Mavic Transprovence 2016 | Photo Epic
June 25th, 2016
By Andrew Dodd in Features
Mavic Transprovence 2016 – all the action from the race
2016 was one of the most memorable Mavic Trans-Provence events yet – more descending than ever, a first day in knee-deep snow, Nico Lau’s fourth event win in as many starts… the man is unstoppable. The women’s race has been a battle of three throughout the week, but finally it was Anita Gehrig who rode a solid Day 6 to take the event overall.
Without the awesome media team, telling the story of the Original Alpine MTB Rally would be impossible. The daily video edits have come from Michiel Rotgans (camera), Irmo Keizer (camera) and Lars Veenstra (camera/edit) and the incredible photo selections by Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott and Sam Needham.
Enjoy this selection of images from the last 6 days of the Mavic Transprovence 2016…
The Mavic Transprovence 2016 is set in some of the finest mountainous countryside in the world. Photo | Sam Needham
With five full-on days of Mavic Trans-Provence already in the bag, racers set off from camp early on Friday into the full Southern heat for a day of fast-paced action and race-defining stage results.
Although the weather held for the Mavic Transprovence 2016, early stages saw snow and some hike-a-bike action! Photo | Duncan Philpott
Even the snappers get snapped out on the Mavic Transprovence 2016 – Sven Martin gets papped by fellow photographer Duncan Philpott.
The Mavic Transprovence 2016 passed through some of the finest back drops in the world. Photo | Sam Needham
In between the flat out blind single track, competitors of the Mavic Transprovence 2016 rode some truly epic back country – doesn’t this shot make you want to sign up for 2017? Photo | Sven Martin
Timed sections were fast and furious as riders tackled some of the best single track trails in Europe. Photo | Duncan Philpott
Photo | Sven Martin
BMC Factory Trailcrew racer François BAILLY-MAÎTRE charged hard all week for a deserved 2nd place. Love this shot! Photo | Sven Martin
Stage 21 took riders into the trees in central Sospel for a short, rapid blast back to town on buff singletrack – yet another change in terrain from the previous day. The second stage of the day (22) was another ‘best of the week’ – many racers commented on the perfect dirt and endless turns that dropped quickly through the steeply sloped forest. The next liaison then took riders south as they edged closer to the event objective – the sea. Stages 23 and 24 – the final moments of Mavic Trans-Provence 2016 – dropped off the side of the Maritime Alps as riders made the final descent through the busy streets of Menton to arrive at the coast for a well-earned beer and swim.
during the 2016 Mavic Transprovence.
during the 2016 Mavic Transprovence.
during the 2016 Mavic Transprovence.
Photo | Sven Martin
Photo | Sam Needham
Photo | Sven Martin
The final day of racing would give two underdogs their chance to have a last say in the TP ’16 results. Yoann Barelli (FRA) and Katy Winton (GBR) put it all on the line, with 18- and 4-second wins respectively. Gustav Wildhaber (SUI) and Nico Lau (FRA) took the next two podium places in the men’s, likewise Emily Slaco (CAN) and Anita Gehrig (SUI) in the women’s.
Friend of Factory Jackson – Rob Jarman – turned up to the Mavic Transprovence 2016 a little unprepared, but in typical style soldiered on to the finish for a 41st place Photo | Sam Needham
Photo | Sven Martin
After Nico Lau’s crash on Day 4 and navigational error on 5, his fortune was to turn as the six-day event drew to a close. Lau already held a commanding lead on the overall, and a clean day of racing with no mistakes secured his fourth Mavic Trans-Provence victory in as many starts, with a margin of victory of nearly 40 seconds.
Nico Lau celebrates taking victory at the Mavic Transprovence 2016 Photo | Sven Martin
The women’s category has been a weeklong battle of three, with sisters Anita and Carolin Gehrig both fighting a strong Ines Thoma (GER) for the overall. The three all took day wins during the week, but when the final times were added up it would be Anita’s consistent ride that would carry her to the prestigious Mavic Trans-Provence win.
The woman’s podium at the Mavic Transprovence 2016: 1st Anita Gehrig | 2nd Ines Thoma | 3rd Carolin Gehrig | 4th Katy Winton | 5th Anka Martin
Nico asserted his finesse as the world’s most decorated multi-day stage racer, but we shouldn’t forget the great ride of second-placed Francois Bailly-Maitre (FRA), whose two-minute buffer to third made him the only racer in the same league as Lau. Gustav Wildhaber rounded out the top three, a superb result for Lau’s Swiss teammate, with Yoann Barelli climbing to fourth and Marco Osborne (USA) suffering on the final day to finish fifth.
The mens podium at the Mavic Transprovence 2016: 1st Nicolas Lau | 2nd François Bailly-Maitre | 3rd Gustav Wildhaber | 4th Yoann Barelli | 5th Marco Osborne
It has been a monumental adventure for every one of TP ‘16’s competitors. From high Alpine to bustling coastline, snow to sea, Mavic Trans-Provence 2016 has been one of the most memorable of the 8 events so far.
Full results can be found right here
The band, the roadies and the crew. Awesome!
Catch day 1-6 of the Mavic Transprovence 2016 here – we have all six videos right here too!
