The 9th edition of the Trans-Provence enters the midway point and riders can almost smell the beer and the Mediterranean.
Our Pete has been lurking in the shadows, taking in all the 7-day race has to offer and has brought us this photo epic from the final three days; Valberg to Valdeblore, Valdeblore to Sospel and Sospel to Menton.
Day 4 – Valberg to Valdeblore.
Day 4 started with some flat out grassy turns high above Valdeblore. This relatively easy section would be worlds apart from the remainder of the day. Photo by Sam Needham.
An unknown rider charging through the open pasture before things got decidedly less straightforward as the heat rose and the trail narrowed. Photo by Sven Martin.
Race leader Ines Thoma would take a dive on one of the transition stages to the second stage of the day proving you can’t take your eye off the ball for a second at the Trans-Provence. Photo by Sven Martin.
Precious shade. As riders dropped to the day’s feed station, they ould seek out any respite from the baking heat of Red Earth. Photo by Sam Needham.
Day 4 is where Marco Osborne would show his class as a racer. A mangled rear wheel saw him wrap it back together with zinc oxide tape, zip ties and anything else he could get his hands on. A late afternoon charge would see him take the final two stages and maintain his lead. What a champ. Photo by Sven Martin.
Nothing makes sweaty riders smile like beer and ice cream. A large part of the post race chill would be spent in this bar getting the core temperature back to sensible levels. Photo by Sam Needham.Day 5 – Valdeblore to Sospel.
Focus’ Joe Connell was one of the few, if only, Scots on course for the week and would look fast and stylish throughout. Joe making light work of the wallride that caught many out. Photo by Sven Martin.
Ludo May was another rider that looked fast, smooth and consistently at the sharp end all week. Photo by Sam Needham.
Birthday boy Gary Perkin suffering in the heat of Sospel during one of the many wheel removals involved in packing a van to get ahead of riders again. Happy birthday Gazza P! Photo by Sam Needham.
Marco Osborne taking care of his undercarriage after a classy day in the saddle. Day 5 would see him extend his lead over second place Francois Bailly-Maitre as third place Olivier Giordanengo fell by the wayside. Photo by Sam Needham.
As the week advanced riders would find their bikes starting to suffer. If the Mavic truck was swamped, you’d have to tweak thins yourself. Owen John, leading AM rider, pulling some dings out. Photo by Duncan Philpott.Day 6 – Sospel to Menton.
These guys. Pete spent a week with the #TPMediaSquids and what a journey it was. Way more than just a bike race, the Trans-Provence is about the crew. Photo by Sam Needham.
Jeff Calam and Sam Needham celebrate a job well done after 6 days and 269km of racing. Magic Rock Brewing handling the post-ride refreshments. Photo by Sam Needham.
Ines Thoma was untouchable all week. Six minutes the better over second place Anka Martin was a statement. Ines had a smile permanently etched on her face all week. Photo by Sam Needham.
Marco Osborne saw off frequent assaults from a flying Francois Bailly-Maitre, with them switching places by less than a second all week. The final day would see them separated by a single second. Photo by Sam Needham.
What do you do when you’ve just won a 6 day stage race? Get in the Med with a beer that’s what. Marco Osborne, your Mavic Trans-Provence 2017 winner ladies and gents. Photo by Sven Martin.
