Not only did Jerome Clementz win the Megavalanche ahead of Remy Absalon and Dan Atherton, he set the course record. The fastest recorded time down snow, rock, rut and mud-infested Alp d’Huez has been reset at a blazing 38 minutes and 42 seconds. Our original enduro Frenchman really can fly.
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Jerome ran a WTB Volt Team saddle and WTB Moto-X Clamp-On grips aboard his Cannondale Jekyll down the steeps of snow-infested Alp d’Huez. The Megavalanche starts at 3300 meters, atop Pic Blanc in a mass start format where riders line the opening ski slope before careening to misery and pileup at the junction of the first turn. Snow dissipates as those who have escaped bike carnage and personal injury are then rewarded with handlebar-deep ruts awash in snowmelt. Rocks punctuate the quickly changing conditions before technical though more traditional soil eventually prevails. Arm pump, brake pump, fried nerves, hurt feelings, personal injury, broken bikes, and mud-spattered faces are all common at this event of awe-inspiring lunacy.
This marks Jerome’s 14th Megavalanche and his third pro win, along with one in the Junior division. To see more beautiful photos taken by talented photographer and aerial artist, Hoshi Yoshida, check out Pinkbike’s awesome in depth write up on all the full boar event’s glory: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Megavalanche-Mens-Final-results-2013.html