This past weekend, Macky Franklin took on one of the most iconic and challenging mountain bike races in the world—the Megavalanche in Alpe D'Huez, France. Competing in the finals, Macky not only finished 8th but also showcased his incredible skills and adaptability in his first-ever mass start downhill race.
The Megavalanche is renowned for its grueling course, which typically starts on the Pic Blanc glacier. However, due to adverse weather conditions, racers couldn't begin at the glacier this year. Instead, they faced an 11-mile (17km) descent with 6800ft (2070m) of elevation drop, navigating through mud, snow, and tricky terrain.
Macky’s race didn’t start as planned. He found himself in approximately 40th place early on but quickly began to make up ground. His cross-country (XC) fitness played a crucial role, allowing him to excel in the pedaling sections and maintain a steady pace throughout the course.
"I had a terrible start (learned a thing or two for next time!), but was able to work my way up from about 40th place to 8th by the end of the 40-minute run”
Macky chose the La Sal Peak as his weapon of choice. The confidence on the enduro bike translated into a smooth and controlled descent, helping him secure his impressive finish.
“Overall, I'm extremely pleased with my run and the experience, and finishing in 8th was just the icing on top. I really enjoyed the mass-start downhill format, and I'm thinking this one's definitely going back onto the bucket list.”