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The Megavalanche has to be one of the rawest forms of mountain bike racing on the planet. From the mass start where riders battle each other, and the snow on the glacier, with the epic exposure as they descent from Pic Blanc at 3330 meters elevation, through the constantly varying trail features, gradient and technicality as they race all the way to Allemond. To think this race has been taking shape in Alpe D’Huez for 30 years is pretty incredible. Yes, 2025 marked the 30-year anniversary of this incredible and iconic event.

2025 marked the 30 year anniversary of this incredible and iconic event

SR SUNTOUR were proud to attend and provide pit support for a large number of our talented riders, some of which would be taking part in both the EBike race on Saturday, and the main event on Sunday. Defending champion Hugo Pigeon was in attendance and feeling strong and confident to achieve success again. Our riders would be using the new DUROLUX38 with the RC+ cartridge, giving them maximum grip and comfort down the rough and challenging trails making up the Megavalanche course.

The weather for the race week looked very promising, and with a good amount of snow on the glacier and cold temperatures in the morning, riders were hopeful for hard and fast snow conditions for the race runs. The glacial conditions can really shape the outcome of the race, so it’s always an anxious wait to find out what conditions the riders will experience on the morning of race day when the tape lifts and they hit the snow.

The qualifying race on the Friday is a very stressful day for the riders. The top 3 riders from each heat earn their front row starting position, which is extremely important for the race. Being on the front row means that riders have a good chance of getting out in front at the start of the race, and are then able to ride the hard compacted snow and get up to high speeds on the glacier. The ruts each rider leaves behind them, make it more and more difficult for the riders following to ride the glacier with speed and consistency, leading to crashes, rider pile ups and overall carnage, as more and more riders charge down the snow.

THE SR SUNTOUR RIDERS
The riders had a great Friday qualifying session, with Hugo Pigeon, Emeric Ienzer, Sam Blenkinsop, Stefan Peter, Jack Reading, Liam Moynihan, James Shirley and Antoine Vidal, all securing themselves a front row starting position for the race. The riders competing in the EBike race on Saturday, have to race the qualifying event twice on Friday, which is such a brutal challenge for them, as the first effort on the normal bikes is so exhausting, and with very little recovery time they have to head back up the mountain to do it all again on the EBikes. Hugo and his team manager Remy Absalon, who is a multiple time winner of the Megavalanche, secured front row spots for the EBike race in their qualifying heats.

The riders competing in the EBike race on Saturday, have to race the qualifying event twice on Friday, which is such a brutal challenge for them, as the first effort on the normal bikes is so exhausting, and with very little recovery time they have to head back up the mountain to do it all again on the EBikes. Hugo and his team manager Remy Absalon, who is a multiple time winner of the Megavalanche, secured front row spots for the EBike race in their qualifying heats.

Saturday saw a record number of entries for the EBike Megavalanche and the riders were rewarded with excellent conditions on the glacier. Despite tough competition, Hugo roared to victory with Remy securing 2nd place and the double podium for the SR Suntour team.

HUGO DID IT AGAIN!
The day of the main race always has a nervous feel to it. Riders gather at the gondola at 6am waiting for the shuttling up to Bic Blanc to start. It’s cold, the sun isn’t long awake, and everyone is on edge. Racing the glacier is extremely intimidating and there are so many things that can go wrong, a lot of them out of the rider’s control. When you emerge from the Pic Blanc gondola at the peak of the mountain, and are welcomed by the most breath-taking view of the neighbouring mountains, for a short time it’s easy to forget the race and simply enjoy the epic location that the Megavalanche enjoys.

Riders are lined up in order of qualifying position, the fastest given the opportunity to select their exact starting place on the glacier first. This year the snow conditions were excellent, apart for the first 75 meters, which had been churned up by the piste bashing machine that had tried it’s best to prepare the surface. It was going to be a very interesting start to the race, with there being one narrow smooth line through the snow down the left, and everywhere else being a real mess. A good start would be essential, yet difficult to achieve.

The music starts with 2 minutes to go, and riders have to be ready for action. All of a sudden, its go time and the riders are away, charging into the abyss of the glacier. It was a great race with success for some of our SR Suntour riders, with Hugo Pigeon confidently defending his title with a strong and impressive ride to take the win by 25 seconds.

Huge congratulation to him for yet another win at this huge event, making it 3 in a row. Emeric Ienzer battled his way to a top 10 finish in 6th place, with Jack Reading in 11th who had to battle all the way to the line with fellow SR Suntour rider Antoine Vidal finishing 12th, and Liam Moynihan close behind in 14th.

The 30th anniversary year of the Megavalanche was a huge success, with great racing, excellent weather and a double victory for Hugo Pigeon and SR Suntour, taking the EBike and main event titles. Well done to all of our riders who completed the Megavalanche this year, and we’ll see everyone in 2026 for another go!

Learn more about our DUROLUX38:

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