Round 3 of the Maxiavalanche Series saw us hit the high road and travel way north to Åre in Sweden (pronounced Orra for us non-Swedes). Åre is Sweden’s largest & most popular ski resort and come summer conveniently Scandinavia’s largest Bike Park with more fun flowing trails than you could shake an angry walker’s stick at. The input of Whistler’s trail crew in the designing of many of the trails here is apparent as soon as you take a few pedal strokes. The Swede’s have adopted a system that is tried & tested and it works here very well on the rolling landscape. Coupled with the relaxed, friendly nature of the Scandinavian’s it feels worlds away from the popular Alpine destinations. And rest assured you won’t be queuing for a chairlift here, that is until a couple of hundred riders roll into town for the Europe Cup.

Qualifying took place on the Friday, so Saturday night could be party night after the Avalanche had come down the mountain. Unfortunately the excitement hooked me before I got near a race and a torn up knee would mean I would be on cheerleader duty for the tight British contingent that made the trip. Friday saw a newcomer to the Enduro scene, but a familiar mtb face, Dan Atherton win qualifying ahead of Karim Amour.

The track has one of the hairiest starts of the entire Maxi series; a fast downhill sprint across a tight field of rocks narrowed quickly to 3 abreast by huge boulders discarded from the last Ice Age. With 150 riders desperate for the best start possible a crash up here would have its consequences. Infact the whole top half of the track is fast, physical & littered with rock. So it was no wonder that over the course of the weekend the track took its toll on bikes & bodies, with numerous riders having to take the 70km trip to the nearest hospital. Coupled with many of the top contenders suffering mechanicals meant the field was left wide open. However, it was Mr Consistency; Frank Parolin that won both races on the day which means he’s won 3 from 3 rounds and looking hard to beat at the last stage in Flims.

Top 3 for the men:

1 Frank Parolin

2 Nicolas Loi

3 Tobias Woogan

Morgan Such took the win for the women and the overall lead ahead of a disappointed Hanna Oletra who was the local favourite & 2 time winner.

This weekend was unlike any other race weekend being on the other side of the tape from what I am familiar with. Especially around the finish area where I’ve never been anything but one of the exhausted, euphoric riders eager to share a tale. Though with an amazing group of friends & an astounding atmosphere in the centre of town you cannot help feed off the excitement around you.  Its times like these that remind me why I’m so passionate about bikes, even when I can’t sling a leg over one, I still know I’m in the right place. That and when you can’t ride you can always fish.

Impressions