As the steepest course on the circuit, Vallnord places technical and physical demands on the riders which are seldom seen elesewhere. To add to this already full plate, the weather wanted to have its say too. We haven’t even mentioned the altitude factor.

The riders had to struggle to find lines and familiarise themselves with the track as rain poured down over the training and quali runs. As seems to be the way of it this season, the weather behaved itself for race day and by the time the final riders were leaving the gate, the course was getting quicker and dusty.

Tracey Hannah grabbed hold of a hard-fought third place and didn’t let go. The diminutive Aussie’s ride demonstrating just how strong and consitsant she is. Marine Cabirou was not far off the pace in 6th place; picking up valuable WC points with a solid run.

Injuries, mother-nature’s will and technical issues, left SRSuntour pilots hard to find on race day. In fact, there were only two left on their bikes come race day.

Baptiste Pierron came home in 17th place, narrowly missing his goal of a top 15 finish. Alexandre Fayolle finished in 21st place and feels content with the result as “the speed is coming back”.

Feeling the effects of a long, hard early season, SRSuntour pilot Annie Last decided not to race on Sunday. A well earned break is a good move. Another British star and SRSuntour pilot was, however, full of racing in the under 23 women’s race. Isla Short in her first year on the Habitat MTB Team battled to 6th place closely followed by Lucie Urruty in 7th.

In the super fast men’s U23 race, Milan Vader finished 6th, while Jordan Sarrou rode a strong race and completed the men's elite podium in 5th place.

In the super fast men’s U23 race, Milan Vader finished 6th, while Jordan Sarrou rode a strong race and completed the men's elite podium in 5th place.