RAID IN FRANCE SAVOIE-MONT-BLANC

Teams Cross the Majestic Mountains at Raid in France

Press Release / 27.06.2022

The first full day at Raid in France in Savoie Mont Blanc was marked by a passage over glaciers at above 3,000 metres for the leading teams in this edition of the Adventure Racing World Series, and with the crossing of several mountain passes for the teams behind them. 

The time difference between them is now building up with some feeling the effects of the steep climbs endured during the mountain bike sections of the first night of racing.

The program for this first day: two masterful mountain bike sections followed by a trek in the alpine region above the Tarentaise Valley.  A grand total of 121 kilometres with 8,000 metres climbing.

The 38 teams made up of 4 racers (1 female) rode through the ski areas of La Plagne and Les Arcs on mountain bikes.  A descent down to Villaroger and up to Sainte Foy/Tarentaise then followed.  They found this section tiring, pushing the bikes at times.

The next trekking section offered the racers a magnificent view over the Mont-Blanc mountain range and the surrounding chain of alpine mountains. One after the other, they walked up the Louie Blanche pass, then on to the Petit Saint Bernard Pass which links France to Italy, followed by the Forclaz pass with its picturesque mountain pastures, then the Ouillon pass.

Just after 5pm the leading team (400Team Naturex)  reached the summit of the Petit Dome des Glaciers (above 3,000 metres), an exceptional site offering views over the glacier and its crevasses.  Due to the numerous open crevasses present at the summit of the Petit Aiguille des Glaciers (at 3,465 metres), the RIF organisation had decided not to climb to the top as was planned, but to take a lower route.

This stage of high mountain terrain and mountaineering has created time differences between the teams. The race is now split between the leading teams at the head of the race, then a spaced-out group of mid pack teams, and finally teams who are trailing behind, and who may well have to take the first cut off point of this Raid in France (cut A). This is a shorter and easier trail through the mountains, allowing them to join the main trail lower down.

You can follow the live race coverage and tracking at; www.raidinfrance.com