They are no less than three Valaisans to have climbed on the podium of the Swiss mountain championships between Archamps, in neighboring France and the summit of Salève.
In the elite category, Arnaud Tissières (Elite Fondations) finished third, 27” from Yannis Voisard and 25” from Dimitri Bussard. He says: “In the morning, during the mass start, it was played on the pedal, it was so steep (note: 12-13%). With Thibault Rossier, we were only 10” from the top two. In the afternoon, we tried to come back to a more hilly first part. In the ascent, they attacked. But it was by sprinting for victory that they really widened the gap. This third rank suits me, the form is coming back after a slightly more difficult period. I now have four one-day races in Tuscany on hilly terrain.
Thibault Rossier at the foot of the podium
Thibault Rossier (Elite Fondations) failed at the foot of the podium, 17” behind his teammate. “He got a little stuck in the final after making a big effort to try to get back to the two leaders,” explains Arnaud Tissières. “For my part, I went up at my own pace, smoothly, to pick it up in the final.”
Valentin Darbellay (Elite Fondations) finished 6th at 1’40.
Justin Salamin ahead of Mathis Vouilloz
Among the juniors, Justin Salamin (Cyclophile Sédunois) brought home a silver medal. He was beaten only by Joël Tinner, his teammate, who was quite superior in the climb since he preceded the Valaisan by 3’14.
Mathis Vouilloz (VC Excelsior), a rather good rider on the road, showed that he was also able to walk well in the mountains. He climbs on the third step of the podium 24” from Justin Salamin.
Morgan Guérin (VC Excelsior) finished 4th at 6’49.