Round 1 - DYNASTAR KV COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 19 July 2017

Dynastar KV Courchevel: the 2017 season is under way! Eric David and Pascale Gachet Mauroz open the ball.

On the road to the second season of the Dynastar KV Courchevel. For 2 years Courchevel has been the benchmark resort for the Vertical Kilometre (VK). This innovative race concept, offered in the resort for 3 years, lets trail runners and ski mountaineers at the Plum KV Courchevel, and since 2016 cyclists with the Dynastar KV Courchevel, join the vertical kilometre trend. In the cycling world, it is the only French race listed in VK format. 3 rounds will be held by bike this summer as part of the “Dynastar KV Courchevel” on Wednesdays 19 July, 2 August and Tuesday 15 August. The 15.5 km course starts at Le Carrey and ends 1,000 metres higher at the Jardin-Alpin in Courchevel 1850. At the end of the season, the men’s and women’s records will be rewarded with prize money of €500.

This Wednesday 19 July, despite a heavy storm in the middle of the afternoon and the geographical proximity of the Tour de France queen stage, where the riders were battling on the legendary slopes of the Galibier, only 19 cyclists took the start of this first round. Few people, but the most loyal were there. Eric David (Illico Vélo) in 46min20s and Pascale Gachet Mauroz (ESF Courchevel 1550) in 1h14min45s set the reference times. Alexis Delestre (47min02s) and Nathalie Marissael (1h22min18s) took the second places. Arthur Blanc of ESF Arêches completed the podium in 48min.

After crossing the finish line, pleasant surprises awaited the riders: all were rewarded and able to enjoy a quality refreshment at the Hôtel Mercure. This snack will be there again at the next stage. For the finale on 15 August, which starts at 10 am, a meal will be offered.

These 3 cycling Vertical Kilometre races count towards the “X3 KV Courchevel Challenge 2018”. To be ranked in this challenge, you must take part at least once in each of the 3 Vertical Kilometre events on offer in Courchevel. To do so, all you need to do is get on your bike for the 2017 “Dynastar KV Courchevel”, the first round of which was held this Wednesday 19 July, put on your trainers for the 2017 “Plum KV Courchevel” and strap on your touring skis for the 2018 “Plum KV Courchevel”. The ranking for this challenge is the sum of the best trail running, cycling and ski mountaineering times for each participant, and the best men’s and women’s times of the year will receive prize money of €800, with €500 for the runners-up and €200 for the third-placed.

A good way to prepare for the extraordinary triathlon, which 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 15 April 2018 (you can register online for this final event at courchevelsportsoutdoor.com).