Conditions de glisse exceptionnelles ce matin dans les Grisons pour ce 45e Marathon de l'Engadin avec plus de 10 000 fondeurs étaient présents sur la ligne de départ.
Sur un parcours en legère descente, les kilomètres défilent vite et le groupe de tête reste la plupart du temps ensemble jusqu'à l'arrivée.
Pour cette édition 2013 plus de 20 fondeurs sont arrivés groupés dans l'emballage final et tout va se jouer au sprint, entre les plus costauds.
A ce jeu là c'est le Savoyard Pierre Guédon qui s'impose en 1'28"19. Guedon remporte sans doute la plus belle victoire de sa carrière. Il devance le vétéran Italien Cristian Zorzi et Christophe Perrillat.
Le Suisse Remo Fischer termine au pied du podium. Robin Duvillard se classe 7e et Benoit Chauvet 9e.
Les réactions :
Pierre Guedon (FRA):
"I never expected that I could win today. It's my second marathon race and my first Engadin Skimarathon so I am still pretty unexperienced when it comes to long distance racing. But the race was very fast today and when I start in a race I also want to win or get onto the podium at least. So I tried to go with the fastest ones. I got told that you have to be one of the five first skiers when you come to the last 500m and I placed myself in that way right before the finish. In the end I could play the card of a sprinter and get these precious centimetres in front of the second one. I am really really happy. The Engadin is a great place for skiing and I really enjoyed racing here."
Cristian Zorzi (ITA):
"Of course I wanted to win, but in the end, Pierre was faster and stronger. I am happy with my second place."
Christoph Perrillat Collomb (FRA):
"Of course I hoped that I could win this race for once after I could already gain some podium places here, but I am also happy with the third place in the end. I really like this race here and the track is made for me – that's why I still hope that I will be the winner one day! I tried to attack together with Ivan Perrillat in St. Moritz to get the leading group a bit smaller, but in the end, everybody came back together and over 20 athletes sprinted for the places. I am happy that I could place my foot over the line for a podium place. Now I go to Oslo to race the 50km there and I am looking forward to that."
Photos : Nordic Focus