ROUND 2 - EIFFAGE COL DE LA LOZE TIME TRIAL - Sunday 18 July 2021

Arthur Blanc and Christelle Zambon lead before the finale!

The second and penultimate round of the Eiffage Col de la Loze Time Trial took place under a magnificent sun. An exceptional panorama with a view of Mont Blanc and the Vanoise glaciers awaited all the cyclists entered at the top of this pass, which peaks at an altitude of 2,304 m after a 17.3 km climb with 1,100 m of elevation gain from Courchevel Le Praz. Every 30 seconds, riders set off on Sunday 18 July from 10 am in this time trial up a climb that never ceases to attract followers among amateurs, with a particular appeal for specialists of the discipline in the chase for the record and the prestige of seeing their name at the top of the standings for the 2021 season.

Arthur Blanc consolidates his position as leader.

After pulling on the polka-dot jersey in the first round on Sunday 20 June with a time of 47min09s, Arêches rider Arthur Blanc, newly a member of the Swiss Racing Academy team, put in a “Pogacar”. He crossed the finish line as winner, setting a new provisional record of 45min29s. “I set off a bit too fast. From the first kilometres I was 1 minute ahead of my reference times from the 1st round. So I eased off in order to attack again at the end of the race, but the last kilometres are really hard and I could only take back 30 seconds,” he said, in essence, very satisfied with his performance. The other 2 steps of the podium were fiercely contested, with Mathieu Gonthier finishing in 50min36s ahead of Will Juillaguet who put up good resistance in 51min13s.

Corinne Favre dethroned by Christelle Zambon.

A fan of Courchevel’s extraordinary triathlons: 4th in the 2020 Felt X3 combining indoor rowing, cycling and trail running, and 9th in the Dynastar X3 on 23 May (cycling, trail running and ski mountaineering), Christelle Zambon set a new provisional record of 1h05min02 and pulled on the polka-dot jersey. She thus dethrones Corinne, who won the first round. Ski mountaineer and cyclist from Chambéry Cyclisme Compétition Aurélie Avanturier took second place in 1h16min34s ahead of Stéphanie Gonthier in 1h20min52s.

A finale that will live up to all its promises.

The finale of this 2021 season will take place on Sunday 22 August and promises to be thrilling. Indeed, many surprises are on the programme, as every season, on the final climb. It must be said that the vintage Crystal Trophies for women and men are highly prized, all the more so as they come with prize money of €500, not forgetting the runners-up (€300) and the third-placed (€200). A €40 Vieux Campeur voucher will be given to the best men’s and women’s times in each category. The suspense remains total. Will Artur Blanc and Christelle Zambon manage to keep their polka-dot jerseys to the end? The answer on 22 August 2021.

Next date: finale on Sunday 22 August.