REMY ABSALON TAKES THE WIN AT REUNION ISLAND MEGAVALANCHE 1

On Sunday in Saint Paul (La Réunion), you needed to be super strong to be the top of the race pack.
The recent forest fires that hit the island had rendered the top of the usual course unrideable, so the initial itinerary was modified. Gone were the rock gardens and more technical sections, more present were the longer pedal-heavy sections and climbs. The cross-country riders had a serious advantage.
With all this in mind, Remy launched himself down the track for his final objective of the year: the Reunion Island Megavalanche.
Within the first few meters, Remy quickly pulled a lead over the other downhillers. All that was left to do was to get rid of the “legs of power” that were whirling away behind him. With his big brother Julien Absalon and Francois Bailly-Maitre in hot pursuit, the COMMENCAL rider gave it his all, taking advantage where his rider skill and bike really made the difference. At the summit of the last climb, he ended up shoulder to shoulder with Julien, the double XC olympic champion. At this point the brothers partnered up to increase their lead over the chasing pack. And it was hand in hand that Remy and Julien crossed the finish line, with a slight advantage for Remy.

Having baptized the Meta AM in the best possible way on the slopes of the Alpe d’Huez this summer, Remy was able to easily confirm on Sunday that this bike/rider skills combination are currently the fastest out there in this discipline. We can confirm, therefore that a great enduro bike is not a XC bike that can descend, but indeed a downhill bike that can climb. Even when competing with some of the best XC riders on the planet. The inauguration of COMMENCAL’s new enduro bikes have become a bit of a speciality for the Vosges native (a win for the Meta AM in its first outing at the Alpe d’Huez Megavalanche and a victory for the Meta SX at the Superenduro final). We won’t deny that we were looking to launch the Meta AM 29er in the same way. But riding the rough terrain in La Reunion was too risky for “big wheels”, we’ll just have to wait until next year! A big congratulations to Remy then, as with this third Reunion Island Megavalanche victory and the two others at the Alpe d’Huez, you truly are a legend.

Thank you to all our partners for their support and efficiency (SRAM, Fox, Fulcrum, Formula, Maxxis, Easton, E13, SDG, Crank Brothers, Bluegrass, Oakley, Muc Off).