Tor des Géants 2016, day 3: the decisive run

Many describe yesterday, the third day of the Tor, as the decisive day. The one in which the winners are outlined. This maybe a bit risky, because it’s hard to make predictions for such a complex, difficult and long race. A night still awaits out on the trails at high altitude, and three mountains over 2700 meters need to be climbed.

The first to check in yesterday afternoon at Valtournenche was Oliviero Bosatelli, running at a regular pace and without any apparent signs of fatigue. At the life base he saw to things calmly, as if he had arrived well in advance for an appointment. He chatted kindly to everyone. Had lunch with a first course, second course and then desserts, and also enjoyed a glass of beer. In short, he was the exact opposite of a frantic athlete close to the finish line. He confessed "The longest race I've ever taken part in up to now was 180 kilometres" before walking away with an smile, leaving those at the base somewhat amused.

After three and a half hours "popular" Oscar Perez reached Valtournenche in perfect physical condition, having gained half and hour therefore compared to the previous check-point. He only had patches on his back to protect him from the sharp crampons that might puncture through the backpack fabric. Tricks of the trade of a seasoned runner. Perez stopped for only a dozen or so minutes and spent almost all of this time greeting the volunteers that offered him all kinds of drink and food. After an hour and 15 minutes the third competitor arrive, Julio Cernuda Aldecoa from Spain. Much more reserved, he had a quick nap before continuing the race that leads to Col Vessonaz at 2788 meters.

Then Eric Ressencourt, from France, Pablo Criado (the Spaniard from Grivel Team) and Andrea Macchi (Eolo Team). The most expected trailers from local people are two athletes traveling together and are at the seventh and eighth place. Only a handful of minutes separate them. She is the Paduan Lisa Borzani, the first woman and Marco Bethaz a very strong athlete from Aosta Valley. That's way the black and red flags of the Valley are being waved all for him. The two know each other well: in August they were on the first step of Gran Paradiso Trail's podium.

In Valtournenche, to cheer on the sidelines, there was also the French trailer Patrick Bohard, first at the finish line of Tor 2015. Tomorrow the first arrivals are expected while other athletes will be approximately halfway through. But equally Giants.


TOR DES GEANTS 2016 - Daily Highlights from hour 31 to 55