What I love most about this race is the fact that it is sort of an underground event, less famous than the Mega, the rules are pretty vague with a minimal of English translation. Just a raw, chaotic mass start race, down a glacier onto crazy rocky cliff–lined trails followed by some of the steepest singletrack, barely rideable on a trail bike and ending with a blind run down an illegal for ‘364 days a year’ hiking trail. Would being part of the Crankworx festival kill its underground soul or enhance it?
It was going to be a busy week for everyone with a huge line–up of events, signings, photoshoots and socializing that was going to have to happen. For me it was great catching up with friends and sponsors and getting my bikes some much–deserved love after the past few weeks of racing French enduro’s.

Just like Crankworx Whistler all the big names in freeriding, racing and slopestyle mixed it up together in the evenings and in between events on the many fun trails the mountain has to offer. Les2Alpes is not Whistler, the trails have a very different feel to them, narrower, almost more suited to trail bikes than DH bikes, but the steepness and braking bumps make a DH bike a comfortable choice. There is a huge area to explore, nearly every trail offering an amazing panorama peak filled backdrop. That is what being in the Alps is all about. Knocking back the Genepi’s after a raclette and fondue, chased with lemon sorbet and vodka Colonel is not a bad way to end every day. >>