Stage 3 of the Pierra Menta took place on a spectacular sunny Friday in the Beaufortain mountains. It was one of the most demanding stage of the race, with around 2,850 meters of positive elevation gain, culminating with the legendary climb of the Grand Mont South Ridge, where hundreds of spectators gather every year to cheer the athletes before the final descent.
The stage began with a 1,120-meter climb to reach the Passage du Dard. From there, athletes descended towards Chiseraz, followed by a 510-meter climb to the second summit at Antécime Bizard.
Racers then returned to the same area for another climb, including a short boot-pack section of about 70 meters of vertical gain to reach the Pointes des Bésaces.
The final challenge was the iconic ascent to the Grand Mont via the South Ridge, where crowds line the ridge and create one of the most electrifying atmospheres in ski mountaineering.
After the summit, athletes faced a long descent. The upper section offered good snow and relatively fast skiing. Lower down, the terrain became more technical, with bumps and variable snow conditions before reaching the finish line.
Stage 3 Track Profile
Women’s Race – Control from Start to Finish
Under a brilliant Beaufortain sun, Stage 3 of the Pierra Menta delivered one of the most intense battles of the week. From the first climbs to the electric atmosphere on the Grand Mont ridge, the fight for victory quickly turned into a duel between two powerful French teams.
From the very first climb, Emily Harrop and Margot Ravinel imposed a steady and controlled pace. Climb after climb, they gradually extended their advantage over their closest rivals.
After a powerful and consistent effort throughout the demanding course, Harrop and Ravinel crossed the finish line in 3:22:02, securing a convincing stage victory.
Behind them, Axelle Mollaret and Célia Perrillat finished second in 3:29:22, while the Italian duo Alba De Silvestro and Lisa Moreschini completed the podium in 3:32:23.
Stage 3 Results – Women
- Harrop / Ravinel – 3:22:02
- Mollaret / Perrillat – 3:29:22 (+7:20)
- De Silvestro / Moreschini – 3:32:23 (+10:21)
These results also correspond to the ISMF World Championship classification for the stage, highlighting another dominant day for the French teams on the legendary slopes of the Pierra Menta.
Men’s Race – A Duel on the Grand Mont Slopes
In the men’s race, the story unfolded in a similar way, with another strong performance from a leading French duo.
Step by step across the demanding course, William Bon Mardion and Xavier Gachet set a relentless pace. Close behind, the young duo Samuel Equy and Anselme Damevin refused to let the leaders escape, keeping the pressure on throughout the stage.
After more than 2 hours and 50 minutes of racing and nearly 2,850 meters of climbing, Bon Mardion and Gachet crossed the finish line first in 2:51:08, securing victory after a spectacular day in the mountains. Equy and Damevin followed just 1 minute and 18 seconds later, confirming the strength of the French teams.
Behind them, the Italian pair Davide Magnini and William Boffelli delivered a strong performance to complete the stage podium in 2:57:21.
Stage 3 Results – Men
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Bon Mardion / Gachet – 2:51:08
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Equy / Damevin – 2:52:26 (+1:18)
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Magnini / Boffelli – 2:57:21 (+6:13)
Stage 3 – ISMF World Championships Long Distance – Top 3
The stage also counted toward the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championships team classification. In that ranking, Bon Mardion and Gachet again claimed victory ahead of Equy and Damevin, while Rémi Cattan and Simon Bellabouvier secured third place in 3:01:44.
- William Bon Mardion / Xavier Gachet – 2:51:08
- Samuel Equy / Anselme Damevin – 2:52:26 (+1:18)
- Rémi Cattan / Simon Bellabouvier – 3:01:44 (+10:36)
Final Showdown Awaits in the Snow
Tomorrow, the fourth and final stage of the Pierra Menta will take place under challenging winter conditions, with snowfall forecast throughout the entire day.
Unlike the spectacular high ridges of Stage 3, the race will likely unfold in the Arêches and Planay forest sectors, where visibility, navigation and snow conditions could play a decisive role.
With the overall classification still tight, the final day promises a dramatic conclusion to the 40th edition of the race.
Overall Classification (After Stage 3)
Men Overall
The battle for victory remains incredibly close between the two leading French teams.
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William Bon Mardion / Xavier Gachet – 8:47:31
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Samuel Equy / Anselme Damevin – 8:49:01 (+1:30)
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Davide Magnini / William Boffelli – 9:02:52 (+15:21)
With only 1 minute and 30 seconds separating the top two teams, the final stage could completely reshape the outcome of the race.
Men ISMF World Championships Classification
The race also counts for the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championships long-distance team title.
- Bon Mardion / Gachet – 8:47:31
- Equy / Damevin – 8:49:01 (+1:30)
- Michele Boscacci / Robert Antonioli – 9:17:14 (+29:43)
Women Overall & ISMF World Championships Classification
In the women’s race, the French teams also dominate the standings.
- Emily Harrop / Margot Ravinel – 10:20:22
- Axelle Mollaret / Célia Perrillat-Pessey – 10:25:07 (+4:45)
- Alba De Silvestro / Lisa Moreschini – 10:50:53 (+30:31)