Trans-Savoie 2014: August 24-30^th Val D’Isere to Les Contamines (Mont Blanc), France

Entries to the second edition of the Trans-Savoie Alpine Enduro stage race open on October 31^st at 18.00 GMT. After the overwhelming success of the multi-day Trans-Savoie event this summer, capacity has been upped to 100 riders for 2014.

Vital statistics

6 Days
22,500m Descent
5,000m Ascent
28 Timed Stages
300km Distance
100% Natural Alpine Terrain

Trans-Savoie 2013

After years of planning and negotiation to ensure full endorsement and approval from the relevant resorts and authorities, the world’s toughest gravity-based enduro event took place in the French Alps in August. Almost a year earlier, the limited race entries sold out within thirty seconds of going live, and were four times oversubscribed.

70 amateur and professional competitors representing 18 different nationalities tackled the awe-inspiring route that circled around Mont Blanc and the stunning Savoie (pronounced Sav-wah) region, passing through beautiful ski resorts and villages including Val D’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Bozel, Courchevel, Meribel, Beaufort and Megeve.

After a week’s intense effort, the fastest racer was the incredibly consistent Rene Wildhaber, who despatched the 26 separate timed DH stages in just over four and a half hours and clocked up over 22,500m of descending on his 650b Trek Slash in doing so. Proving an incredibly versatile athlete, Swiss professional Freestyle skier Armin Beeli came along for the sheer fun of it and placed second, with top UK Gravity Enduro racer Neil Donoghue rounding off the podium.

MTB Cut/Bluegrass rider Hannah Barnes won the women’s race in a total time of seven hours and ten minutes and later described the race as, “an unforgettable adventure”. Over 65 riders completed the full event with numerous competitors describing the Trans-Savoie experience as simply ‘the best thing they have ever done.’

Trans-Savoie 2014

This year we’re opening the application window for 24 hours on the 31^st October, with the first 50 successful applicants to be informed within five days of completed entries. Applicants need to demonstrate a reasonable level of technical competence and riding experience in big mountains to participate in the demanding event.

Trans-Savoie will again offer some massive, 25 minute-plus natural descent stages packed into a refined course route with less liaison mileage and over an hours timed natural singletrack downhill most days.

The all-inclusive entry fee includes all food, accommodation and transfers as well as mechanical support for the duration of the six-day event. Check www.trans-savoie.com for full package details.

What’s new?

A large contingent of pro enduro riders are in the process of signing up for 2014, which means successful entrants will be afforded a chance to witness the leading racers from the EWS series compete on the longest, most spectacular tracks on the enduro calendar. Obviously, some riders may prefer to complete the beautiful course with friends at a safer, more relaxed pace, and at Trans-Savoie we welcome any capable riders and are keen that the choice is yours on how best to tackle the adventure.

We’ve also agreed working partnerships with some very exciting sponsors for next year that will help take the event to the next level.  Superb big-value prizes and Big-Brand support at the race & camps will be on offer, details of which will be announced soon.

With the trails set to be even more incredible and partnerships with some of the biggest names in mountain biking that will help ensure the organisation is even more effective, we can’t wait to welcome next year’s riders and look forward to doing it even bigger and better next summer.

Make sure you join us for the ride next August.

Missed out on Race Entry?

For those who are inspired by the concept of this epic adventure, but are not so keen on doing it against the clock, don’t like the idea of camping, or who simply missed out on a race entry; you might like to check out Trans-Savoie’s parent organisation; guiding outfit TrailAddiction. TrailAddiction have been running holidays in the Savoie for over 12 years, and being the creators and staff team behind the Trans-Savoie event itself, you can be sure of the real-deal in terms of trails and terrain. ‘Guided Trans-Savoie’ is running on selected dates through July and August next summer.

See www.trailaddiction.com for more info.