Stage 1 of the Pierra Menta: Equy/Damevin and Harrop/Ravinel Lead in a Thrilling Alpine Opener

March 11, 2026
1:28 pm

Stage 1 – Pierra Menta

The opening stage of the legendary Pierra Menta took place today in Arêches-Beaufort, challenging athletes with a demanding circuit high in the Beaufortain mountains. The route featured 19 transitions, a total climb of 2,570 meters, and five foot sections, testing endurance, technique, and strategy throughout the day.

The course included four major sections: it began with a steep 270-meter foot climb, where teams set a fierce pace to reach the summit first and pass a narrow bottleneck en route to the Mont Miramait. This was followed by a 560-meter downhill toward Pas de l’Ane and a short descent to Vache Rouge, before the final uphill of the Grande Journée. The stage concluded with the longest and most technical descent, including the first meters a steep and icy couloir where athletes had to navigate tricky snow conditions all the way to the valley.

Stage 1 Track Profile

Men’s race

After an intense battle throughout the day, the French duo Samuel Equy and Anselme Damevin (Team 6) claimed the stage victory in 2:30:33.

They finished just 18 seconds ahead of another strong French pairing, William Bon Mardion and Xavier Gachet (Team 5).

The Italian duo Davide Magnini and William Boffelli (Team 31) completed the overall podium after a strong performance.

Stage 1 – Overall Top 3

Team 6 – Equy / Damevin (FRA) – 2:30:33
Team 5 – Bon Mardion / Gachet (FRA) – 2:30:51 (+0:18)
Team 31 – Magnini / Boffelli (ITA) – 2:33:27 (+2:54)

Close behind, Anton Palzer and Nadir Maguet (Team 38) finished 4th, while Italian legends Michele Boscacci and Robert Antonioli (Team 3) placed 5th.

ISMF World Championships Long Distance classification

This season, the Pierra Menta also counts toward the ISMF Long Distance World Championship, where the same leading teams currently hold the top two positions, with the Italian duo Boscacci / Antonioli completing the podium in third place.

Stage 1 – ISMF World Championships Long Distance – Top 3

Team 6 – Equy / Damevin (FRA) – 2:30:33
Team 5 – Bon Mardion / Gachet (FRA)– 2:30:51 (+0:18)
Team 3 – Boscacci / Antonioli (ITA) – 2:37:12 (+6:39)

Women’s race

The women’s race featured a close duel between the two leading French teams throughout the stage.

In the first part of the race, Emily Harrop and Margot Ravinel took time to regain their rhythm after Margot fell a couple of times, allowing the team of Axelle Gachet Mollaret and Célia Perrillat-Pessey to open a small gap.

However, the battle continued all the way to the final descent. In the closing section, Harrop and Ravinel managed to regain the lead and crossed the finish line first after 2:57:48, just 9 seconds ahead of their rivals.

The Italian duo Alba De Silvestro and Lisa Moreschini completed the podium.

Stage 1 – Women’s Top 3 ISMF World Championships Long Distance and Overall