Damien Oton

2017 Megavalanche Alpe d’Huez Winner

1. Why do you like to come back almost every year in Alpe d’Huez for the Méga?

Simply because it’s the Mega, I love mass start races and it’s the longest in the world, so I have to be there.

2. On what kind of ground do you feel the more confortable? Where do you think you can make a difference?

I really like the technical parts after the glacier, it’s fast and you need to let go of the brakes, I think I’m performing on this part. And I’m not so bad in pedalling hahaha 😉

Everybody knows that the physical part is very important in the Mega, so I hope I will have good legs to go uphill as fast as possible.

3. What’s the funniest think you’ve seen on a Mega?

For my first Mega (2013 I think) I was in Remy Absalon’s qualifying wave and I followed him in second position and he fell down head first in a huge puddle of mud, it was so funny. But he won however lol

4. According to you, what is the most important think to win for the Méga ? 

Physical work, because it’s very long and the uphill in l’Alpe d’Huez is very difficult so if you’re not ready you’ll stay behind. And do some mass starts before the Mega, it helps also.

5. What is your secret technique to make a good start, avoiding traps on the snow ?

I don’t have any, you just need chance. I only went out the glacier once after 5 participations.

6. According to you, what’s the MEGA spirit?

Good stuff with friends and a good beer after the finish line.

7. What do you prefer during your stay in Alpe d’Huez ?

I love being there every year with my family, I ride in the morning and then I enjoy the swimming pool and other activities, the resort is  cool for that.

8. The first Maxiavalanche of the year in Vallnord is just over, are we going to see you in Cervinia at the end of july or in Ax in september ?

I won’t be in Cervinia, but probably in Ax.

Thomas Lapeyrie

2017 Megavalanche la Reunion winner – French enduro Champions

What is your motivation to come back every year or so on the Mega ?

The fear. This start on the glacier, where everything could happen, that scares us all hahaaaa it’s stupid but so good !!!!

What is the type of playground you are the most performing on ? Where could you make the difference on the Mega ?

I’m performing on polyvalent tracks, with technic, physic, involvement, speed and so on…

On a Mega the contest is everywhere, start, middle, end, you need to manage the mechanic, avoid falls, be in the right lines, everything matters !

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the Mega ?

Honestly it’s hard to say, a Mega is not funny, it’s just scaring hahahahaha

What are for you the essential elements to get ready for this anthology Race ?

You need to be in good physical conditions, it’s a huge race and you have to be ready to avoid suffering.

Mental is also important with the start’s pressure when you know you play your life and you have to manage your emotions.

Your bike has to be in top conditions, you can face a lot of mechanical problems, breakages, punctures are part of the game but it’s better to anticipate it.

What is your secret technique to make a good start, avoiding traps on the snow ?

Well, you have to pull out your elbows, no ? OMG 🙂

For you, the Spirit of the Mega is mostly…? 

Downright FUN ! good shares, a week of ride with friends, we meet in the afternoon to eat some pancakes and drink a beer, we ride together, long tracks, only pleasure and bonus on this Mega week.

Finally no need to stress, it’s just so ZEN :p

What do you prefer on your stay in l’Alpe d’Huez ?

Nutella pancakes on a café terrace under the sun with the friends at 5pm after a good riding day, what a life !

The first Maxiavalanche of the year in Vallnord is just over, are we going to see you in Cervinia at the end of july or in Ax in september ?

For the moment I never had the opportunity to race a Maxi and I really would like to. I’ll find the time…I like Vallnord but I could not participate this year so why not Ax in September, nothing is completely decided but I long to.

Rémy Absalon

12 times Megavalanche winner

1. What is your motivation to come back every year or so on the Mega ?

You can say every year, I don’t know, maybe the mix of all the feelings only the Mega gives : adrenaline, full speed on the glacier, physical and technical challenge, fear of the mass start…

What is the type of playground you are the most performing on ? Where could you make the difference on the Mega ?
I’m rather polyvalent, not the fastest in one playground but not the most bad nowhere. I think it’s the key to be faster downhill…With a little racing experience to finish…in one piece 😉

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the Mega ?
The funniest and the most frightening : a carnage start on the glacier when the snow conditions where not good and we went from stone to ice. Everybody was stacked but no hurt for nobody.

What are for you the essential elements to get ready for this anthology Race ?
Be ready on physical, technical and endurance sides. But don’t be under pressure, it’s a difficult and hazardous race so come what may !

What is your secret technique to make a good start, avoiding traps on the snow ?

I would say, be on the front side to avoid other pilots falls but not be the first : it allows you to see those in the front fall into the traps if the snow is not good (icy or soggy).

For you, the Spirit of the Mega is mostly…? 
To ride the biggest downhill in the world as fast as possible, having a lot of fun !

What do you prefer during your stay in l’Alpe d’Huez ?

All the week around it…rides with friends, it’s a mega ride week. And enjoy the resort in family.

The first Maxiavalanche of the year in Vallnord is just over, are we going to see you in Cervinia at the end of july or in Ax in september ?
I really try to put one on my calendar, it’s not easy this year but I try. Maybe Ax in September if I can delay my engagements, otherwise it will be in 2019 ! I’m really looking forward to coming back to a Maxi like Andorre.