Catalonia Wins Again as Bes Wins CCC Race at UTMB

Morgane Raylat (Edited by Rob Howard) / 01.09.2013

 Ideal weather conditions yesterday morning in Courmayeur allowed the 1909 runners on the start line for the CCC to fully express their potential on a challenging course over 100km and 5950m of positive height gain.

At the front of the stage, as a day earlier on the TDS, the Catalonia region sparkled again, thanks to Jordi Bes from Girona. The Catalan won the 2013 race in less than 11:30, racing near the front from the start of the race. After finishing the Marathon du Mont Blanc at 8th place earlier this year, 11th at the Matterhorn Ultraks last week, Bes won in 11:23; the most significant race of his career.

The Camus family, represented by Sylvain and Sebastien tried all day long to counter the Catalan’s ambitions in the race at the front.

This year, Sebastien, 4^th last year, finally experienced the joys of the podium. "We had a relatively quiet start. Very different from last year" said Sebastien Camus. "It allowed me to get into the rhythm quietly. At one point after the Tête de la Tronche, I took the lead and kept that place up to the descent of the Grand Col Ferret. I weakend then and after Catogne I decided to boost myself and tried to get back to Bes."

Spainish race Gomez took 3rd place, and France 4^th, with the young Clément Petitjean at the foot of the podium (4th). With a big smile on the face, the runner from the Drôme region, did not expect to be on such a good position for his first attempt at the event.

Winner of the first Ultra Marathon du Mont Blanc (80km) two months ago, the Savoyard Caroline Chaverot was victorious again yesterday, crossing the line victoriously around 23:15 at the 17th place overall in 14h12m ...

"I do not believe it, actually. At the top of the Tête au vent, my husband told me that second was very close to me. Yet I could already feel spasms in the legs, and I never thought I could stay at the front of the race," said the one who has had an amazing season in 2013, also winning the Tour de la Grande Casse, the Montagn'Hard and the Tour des Fiz.

"But I gritted my teeth, I was able to go fast enough, and I held on." The French racer fought until the end of the 100 km the challenges of the Catalan Mercedes Arcos Zafra who finally finished just 9 minutes after her, in front of Delphine Avenier (FRA), 3rd woman on the day.

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