X-adventure Raid Series
Salomon Suisse Lead The Way
X-adventure Press Office / 10.05.2004
A team that burst upon the adventure-racing scene just two seasons ago managed once again to fend off late challenges from LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR), NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) and ERTIPS (FR) to carry off the honours. In a race across the roof of North Africa that drew on every aspect of the seasoned squad’s expertise, not to mention ample amounts of luck, the Swiss ran an almost tactically perfect race and benefited from a number of errors on behalf of their closest rivals.
The 41 teams set out at precisely 6h00 from Tabant, for an opening 21km trek to the snow bound heights of mount Tizi-n-Tanout (3074m) and it was clear right from the start the those teams already accustomed to high altitude would identify this first section as an ideal opportunity to test the mettle of close rivals alike. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) and SALOMON SUISSE (CH) immediately began to take command of the situation by pushing the pace. Both teams almost sprinted over the first 8.5kms and, after making judicious orienteering choices, they arrived neck and neck at the canyoning section where an acceleration on the downhill trek not only shed the other teams but also gave SALOMON SUISSE (CH) the race lead by around 1 minute; a foretaste of things to come.
The pack was lightly shuffled as the results came in for the first MTB section of the day with SALOMON SUISSE (CH) confirming their intentions of controlling the race. Their impressive time enabled them to pull slightly ahead of the field, though behind them a number of teams who had underperformed during the opening trek began to jostle for more favourable positions and eased their way into the top 10. The youngsters of EAFIT (FR), some of the hottest bikers in Europe, moved up into 2nd place ahead of LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR), while, even more remarkably, NORDIC AVENTURE.COM (FR), after a disappointing show in the trek, put in the second best time on the MTB to push SAAB SALOMON (GB), uncharacteristically slow on this leg, into 6th place.
NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) showed their true character on the final trekking section, and penultimate of the day, with the fastest time over the 17kms and began to push front-runners SALOMON SUISSE (CH) who were still going strong with LES ARCS-QUECHUA holding onto 2nd. SAAB SALOMON (GB) were unexpectedly struggling with injuries and illness dogging almost eery team member. NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) continued their push for the front by once again putting in the second fastest time on the final leg of the day, a massive 64km MTB section up and down a winding, sinuous track. See All Event Posts
