Act 3 - DYNASTAR KV COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 3 August 2016

3rd round of the Dynastar KV Courchevel, the records fall!

While Vertical Kilometre (KV) events are multiplying in trail running and beginning to appear in the ski mountaineering world, they were until now non-existent in cycling. Ahead of its time, the Amicale Cycliste de Courchevel launched this race format this summer by offering 4 dates on a 15.5 km course with 1,000 m of elevation gain: the “Dynastar KV Courchevel”. An originality that propels Courchevel into the absolute reference resort in this field, with the same type of event already offered by the club “Courchevel Sports Alpinisme” in trail running and ski mountaineering: the “Plum KV Courchevel”. From this trilogy was born the “Challenge X3 KV Courchevel 2017”, which, to be ranked, requires taking part at least once in each of the 3 Vertical Kilometre events offered in Courchevel. A good way to prepare for the extraordinary triathlon that has become the unmissable event for outdoor sports enthusiasts, combining these 3 disciplines in one day: the “Dynastar X3 Courchevel”, which will take place on 16 April 2017.

Christophe Bassons on a mountain bike…

In this 3rd round of the Dynastar KV Courchevel by bike, held this Wednesday 3 August, 66 participants were at the start, and among them was Christophe Bassons, a great hope of French cycling in the 1990s. He was a professional rider for six years and notably knew the Festina era, where his refusal to dope led to him being ostracised within the peloton. The high point was the 1999 Tour de France, where he suffered the cold anger of the peloton and the more virile anger of Lance Armstrong in person, who ordered him in mid-race to leave the cycling world. Christophe would come to be regarded as the Mr Clean of cycling. Disgusted, he retired in 2001 to concern himself henceforth with doping issues, after a refreshing experience in trail running and mountain biking. 6th at the French marathon mountain bike championships last 4 June, Christophe finished 10th in this 3rd round of the Dynastar KV Courchevel in 48min38s! And on a mountain bike!! “The last 100 metres of elevation were very hard! A great race, ideal for working on intensity. Next week I’ll be at the Plum KV Courchevel in trail running,” he told us at the finish with a smile.

New records for Jérémy Defaye and Fanny Leleu…

The overall standings were shaken up in this penultimate round of the Dynastar KV Courchevel, with leader Jérémy Defaye of the SCO Dijon club lowering the provisional record to 42min15s. Simon Négrignat came second in 43min29s and Julien Lodolo took third place in 43min52s.

A pleasant surprise in the women’s race with the presence of Fanny Leleu of VC Rouen, 1st Frenchwoman and 6th overall in the 2015 Route de France (women’s Tour de France), who took the new provisional women’s Dynastar KV Courchevel record in 50min58s. Second place went to Laure Anne Ferrent of the Chamrousse team, who finished in 53min35s, and Géraldine Bau of OCA Albertville completed the podium in 1h00min18s.

The final of the Dynastar KV Courchevel will take place on Sunday 21 August with the presence of Laurent Brochard, who was road world champion in 1997, Mathéo Jacquemoud, ski mountaineering world champion, and many other renowned participants. Registration will take place at the start of the race from 9 am to 9.45 am and the first start will be given from 10 am. For the occasion, nice surprises are planned to liven up this last climb and all the competitors will be invited to the traditional meal of the Courchevel Village festival. At the prize-giving, the official men’s and women’s records of the Dynastar KV Courchevel 2016 will be rewarded with prize money of €500.