Cyc'd European Tour 2014 - Day 6 Cormet du Roseland & Col de Petit Saint Bernard

We left our picturesque accommodation in Fummet this morning after a fantastic breakfast spread and awaking to some magnificent views of the alps. 

Today was the second day of our road trip and was just epic filled with a a bunch of firsts rolling over today. First of all there were a lot of firsts in elevation... Two Hors categorie climbs back to back that were both my highest elevation ever. 

First we left our new hotel and steered toward the Cormet de Roseland which started in a Coot-tha style climb which would really set the tone for today. From there we headed out to Albertville to start our 38km ascent of the Cormet. 

Strava

Albertville to Cormet de Roselend

Albertville, Rhône-Alpes, France

• Distance
   39.0 km
 
• Elevation
   1,585 m
 
• Grade
   4%

Men's Leaderboard

			Speed	Power	VAM	Time
	1	Jérémy Cheillon	21.8km/h	302	886.2	1:47:18
	2	tresserre gill	20.4km/h	232	828.3	1:54:48
	3	Jean Luc Cheillon	20.0km/h	284	814.6	1:56:44
	4	Pierre Cibillon	20.0km/h	291	811.6	1:57:10
	5	Ludovic Manon	19.5km/h	293	794.4	1:59:42
	6	Bike Onomous	19.1km/h	238	776.9	2:02:24
	7	chat moa	18.9km/h	303	769.3	2:03:36
	8	Iron Seb	18.7km/h	292	761.7	2:04:50
	9	chris harrop	18.6km/h	249	757.7	2:05:30
	10	Phil Binney	18.5km/h	210	750.8	2:06:39

Women's Leaderboard

			Speed	Power	VAM	Time
	1	Laetitia ROUX	18.3km/h	163	744.6	2:07:42
	2	gina rocco	15.0km/h	162	609.0	2:36:09
	3	Tracy McAvoy	14.6km/h	173	594.1	2:40:03
	4	gaby leveridge	13.4km/h	257	544.1	2:54:45
	5	Tina Winzer	12.7km/h	178	517.1	3:03:54
	6	Carole Dick	11.8km/h	142	479.5	3:18:19
	7	Joy Cadelina	11.6km/h	182	473.5	3:20:50

Fortunately we had a small break in the middle of this 38km monster and to take on some wet weather gear. For the first time in our (as Jason would describe it) "have to pinch myself to check I'm not dreaming" tour the weather looked as though it might turn to something other than perfect, so a stop was required to ensure we were all suited to the weather. 

The trip to Beaufort started innocently enough with Eric leading a steady pace as the road began to rise. This of course didn't last and the pace quickly escalated. A break quickly formed and Some rolling turns ensued to make sure that the pace stayed high and the chasers at bay. As the rest stop loomed closer Stephen seized his opportunity and attacked leaving Eric and Jason to chase for the last 6km. Stephen and I continued to share the load on the front and rolled home to take the Beaufort sprint line honours. 

From our rest stop the road quickly ascended and (after sorting out yet another case of "this is not the col you're looking itis") we headed up for what would be our highest elevation to date. 

It wasn't log before a small group of the regular climbers in Matt, Craig and I formed after Flynn and RJB fell off the pace. 

The climb to Roseland was stunning and I can understand why Ian (back home, get well soon captain) rates it as one of his favourites. 

After pushing hard in some very windy conditions a small alliance formed and the group of three rolled across the line in recognition of the hard work in the climb. 

From there, we had a 20km of amazing descent, with spectacular views of the alps unfolding around every switch back. 

The descent put us squarely in place for our climb of another 30km to the Col de Petit Saint Benard. Despite the name, there was nothing Petit about the climb. 30km of solid climbing ending with a summit of 2188m. 

Strava

Col de Petit Saint Bernard

Bourg Saint Maurice, Rhône-Alpes, France

• Distance
   29.2 km
 
• Elevation
   1,343 m
 
• Grade
   5%

Men's Leaderboard

			Speed	Power	VAM	Time
	1	Pierre Ruffaut	22.9km/h	290	1,052.5	1:16:33
	2	Edmund Bradbury	22.4km/h	282	1,028.7	1:18:19
	3	Jeff Goossens	22.3km/h	325	1,023.1	1:18:45
	4	Jeroen Hoorne	22.1km/h	-	1,016.0	1:19:18
	5	Floris De Tier	21.9km/h	294	1,006.1	1:20:05
	6	Hugh Mackenzie	21.9km/h	268	1,003.8	1:20:16
	7	Michael Wellington	21.8km/h	270	999.2	1:20:38
	8	Tiesj Benoot	21.7km/h	-	994.9	1:20:59
	9	Oli Mahony	21.5km/h	329	985.9	1:21:43
	10	Ben Rowe	21.3km/h	279	978.4	1:22:21

Women's Leaderboard

			Speed	Power	VAM	Time
	1	Nane la bugiste	17.6km/h	180	806.2	1:39:56
	2	Mel Batchelor	17.4km/h	217	799.0	1:40:50
	3	Weno Walker	17.0km/h	173	778.8	1:43:27
	4	Jézabel Kremer	16.8km/h	-	771.5	1:44:26
	5	Miss Picardie Hein	15.9km/h	-	730.8	1:50:15
	6	Sian McLoughlin	14.9km/h	186	686.4	1:57:23
	7	Judy Ross	14.9km/h	146	684.9	1:57:38
	8	Julia Hesselberg	14.8km/h	178	679.7	1:58:32
	9	Cyclegirl France	14.6km/h	160	671.6	1:59:58
	10	Claire McBride	14.5km/h	173	666.5	2:00:53

View the Full Leaderboad on Strava »

RJB and Flynn attacked early on the climb as soon as the marker appeared. Matt, Craig and I quickly gave chase and shortly caught the breakaway. Matt pushed on setting a blistering pace which shortly dropped RJB and Flynn tired from their early sprints. 

The group of three again progressed toward the summit and there was to be no truce in this battle for the Col. 

The views again were stunning with snow capped peaks and quaint villages around every turn. After about 17km of climbing the group picked up the pace and soon Matt succumbed from his early pace setting.

 As we hit the snow line and finally with the end insight Craig picked up the pace and launched an attack. In a last ditch effort with 500m to go there was an all out sprint. Ironically again we rolled over wheel to wheel, neither off us able to get the upper hand. 

From there we rolled to the Italian border for some well deserved coffees and to tick off the Italian segment of our tour. 

After 140km and over 5000m of climbing some very tired and sore bodies descended to our hotel for the evening. Hoping to get some recovery before attacking the col de Madeleine and croix de fer tomorrow on what looks to be a wet and cold day. 

Thursday: 

Green Socks -> Bruce for starting the day in the van and finishing it buy spilling his complete drink before consuming 

Pink Socks -> Me for doing the blog (guess I should post this then)