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Loïc Bruni and Myriam Nicole win at Les Orres
Publié le Sunday 13 September 2020
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©Les Orres - Remi Fabregue
The resort of Les Orres hosted the 4th and final round of the French MTB DH Cup on September 12 & 13, 2020. It's rare enough to note that the international elite made the trip to this event, whereas they usually concentrate on World Cup formats.
It has to be said that the international calendar has been somewhat disrupted (the World Cup round in Italy that same weekend was cancelled, as well as the one in Les Gets on the weekend of September 19-20) and this Coupe de France in Les Orres is a blessing for riders in search of competition, ahead of their next international event in Austria in early October.
The competition kicked off with a line-up worthy of a World Cup. Loïc Bruni and Myriam Nicole, both reigning world champions, mastered their subject and their status as leaders, finishing first in the placement round.
I'm taking it as a real preparation race because the track is worth it, we're getting close to World Cup sensations and we're getting closer to the big objectives of the Worlds, so it's time!
Loïc Bruni before the final round
And indeed, it was the moment, as the world champion won in Les Orres in 3:26 ahead of his Canadian teammate Finnley Iles, whom he beat by 2.49 seconds. Thibaut Daprela took 3rd place, ahead of Loris Vergier in 4th. Vergier maintains his overall lead and wins the Coupe de France 2020.
It's the last dress rehearsal before the world championships, the last real race, so I'm taking it very seriously!
Myriam Nicole
And the Montpellier native achieved her goal, taking victory in Les Orres ahead of Marine Cabirou and Tracey Hannah. Camille Balanche finished ahead of Mélanie Chappaz and Agnès Delest in the overall women's Coupe de France standings.
Among the local riders, Ian Guillonnet, an ambassador for Les Orres from Briançonnais, came 22nd in a fine race.
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