The "Champions League" of Mountain Biking

From 5 to 9 October, the tracks of Fréjus will host the 33^rd edition of the Roc d’Azur. While an exceptional weekend between sporting challenges and an exhibition await the enthusiasts and their families, the battle between the top riders promises to be captivating for adding one of the world Mountain Bike classics to their list of accomplishments.


 

Key points

• Alban Lakata, Julien Absalon, Maxime Marotte and Jordan Sarrou in the men’s division
• Sally Bigham, Hélène Marcouyre and Julie Bresset in the women’s division
• Guest-stars: Luc Alphand, Romain Bardet and Renaud Lavillenie 

Fréjus will host a particular kind of mountain bikers, that of champions. The 33^rd edition of the Roc d’Azur is no exception to the rule. The events of this off-road cycling festival will feature some of the best known mountain biking names among the entries.
 
There are several contenders but on the Canyon Roc Marathon, two-time world champion in the discipline and silver medal winner this year, Alban Lakata from Austria, comes in as the overwhelming favourite. There will undoubtedly be more in the fight on the headliner race, the Roc d’Azur. Facing him, the French armada will send a few of its top riders. On paper, Julien Absalon, who has Olympic and World Championship medals to his credit is the number one candidate. But Maxime Marotte, who was in the battle for an Olympic podium in Rio until the very last metres, could come up big. Unless French Junior champion, Jordan Sarrou repeats his 2014 form, when he won at Fréjus.
 



In the women’s division, defending Roc d’Azur winner, and 2012 Olympic gold medal winner as well as 2012 and 2013 World Champion, Julie Bresset is a leader, but she could find herself in a duel with SallyBigham. The Englishwoman finished runner-up in the Marathon at the World Championships and is this year’s European Champion. She will look to clinch the Canyon Roc Marathon, while also feeding her ambitions on the Roc d’Azur. Also watch out for Hélène Marcouyre on the Marathon, who won the 2016 Roc des Alpes, and wants to do the double in the final race of her career.
 
Second overall on this year’s Tour de France and member of the AG3R team, Romain Bardet is thrilled at the chance of participating in the Roc Marathon. “I am very happy to participate in the Roc d’Azur for the first time. I am anxious to mix it up with the top amateur riders in this sport and put in a good ride and enjoy the conviviality.” It is the same ambition for Luc Alphand, who will ride in the TriRoc: “All the activities allow for fully discovering the mountain bike disciplines. I am a fan of the trial and freestyle demonstrations for example. And for the races, it’s the same, for a champion, it is important to add the Roc d’Azur to the list of accomplishments. It is a real classic which one has to have won.” Holder of the world pole vault record,Renaud Lavillenie, will enjoy himself over at the expo discovering the latest innovations from the biggest brands.
 
Without a doubt, the Roc d'Azur 2016 will be once again at Fréjus the world capital of mountain biking. 
 
If you too want to measure yourself on the Roc d’Azur and against all the champions that will be at Fréjus, don’t wait any longer to enter on asochallenges.com 





For more information, visit www.rocazur.com