Bennett 3rd in 100kms VTT Marathon

Pearce Cycles team rider Steve Bennett was third rider home in the Madragore VTT Marathon in France at the weekend. The tough 100 kms event is a one-way dash across the Haute Vienne from Confolens to Nieul. The first half being mostly open rolling countryside, large groups of riders form racing 'roadie' style. After the halfway feed station at Montrol Senard the tough stuff begins along the trails of the Monts de Blond. Bennett came home in just under 5 hours, with an average speed of just over 20 kph.

"My plan was to ride hard for the first half an hour to establish myself in the best group I could. I managed to get into the lead group of about 15 riders. By the time we reached the half way point at Montrol Senard we were down to 6, and it's after Montrol Senard that the going gets tough. I was struggling to maintain contact, but I was OK. Riders just seemed to disappear as cramp and fatigue hit them. It was very very hot, and very tough. By the time we left the Monts de Blond I was still with the leaders, we were down to three. With about 10 kms to go we hit a steep ramp and my legs buckled. I limped home third.

However, I'm very pleased with my ride today, i've put a lot of hard work in and it's starting to pay off. Not only that, but I made it to the finish 'sans chute' (without crashing)", said an exhausted, excstatic, verbose Bennett afterwards.

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