September
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TOR DES GEANTS 2024: Buliga disqualified. François D’Haene leader
TOR DES GEANTS 2024: Buliga disqualified. François D’Haene leader. Our MOUNTAIN RACING CALENDAR 2024 today we bring you the first days of this race, which this year started with rather adverse weather conditions. In which Corneliu Buliga, who was leading, was disqualified for receiving help at a prohibited point.
Photo Stefano Coletta_Zzam! Agency
TOR DES GEANTS 2024
The adventure of the TOR330 – Tor des Géants® 2023 has officially begun, with approximately 1,100 runners setting off from Courmayeur on a grueling 330 km trail featuring 24,000 meters of elevation gain. Despite the rain that started just before the first wave of runners, the atmosphere was electrifying as a crowd of passionate fans cheered on the competitors. The event, witnessed its first 600 participants braving harsh weather conditions, including rain and the risk of snow at higher altitudes.
The top runners, vying to finish in under three days, led the first wave, while the second wave followed two hours later, tackling the same course with the goal of completing the race by Saturday, September 14th. By the evening, runners were expected to reach checkpoints like La Thuile and Valgrisenche, with the lead pack likely making it to Cogne by nightfall.
As expected, the weather worsened, with the rain intensifying throughout the day. However, the race atmosphere remains high, with TORX® LIVE offering 24/7 live-stream coverage, including interviews, rankings, and real-time updates on the race.
On the first day of the TOR330, Romanian runner Corneliu Buliga was disqualified for violating race rules by receiving assistance outside designated zones. Buliga had been in the lead before stopping at a local bar for assistance, an act that led to his disqualification after race officials reviewed footage. This unexpected turn left the door open for French runners François D’Haene and Benat Marmissolle, who are now leading the men’s race, followed closely by Sangé Sherpa and Damian Hall.
Photo Stefano Coletta
“We are truly sorry because Corneliu was having a great race,” explains Alessandra Nicoletti, the race director and President of VDA Trailers, “but Article 17 of the race regulations is very clear: personal assistance is only allowed at refreshment points and Life Bases, in areas designated for this purpose, at the discretion of the point’s manager. Athletes caught sleeping, eating, or receiving assistance outside authorized points will be disqualified. We had to inform him of our decision at the next checkpoint, the Chalet de l’Epée refuge.”
In the women’s race, Katharina Hartmuth from Germany has taken the lead after early contender Melissa Paganelli was forced to withdraw due to stomach issues. Hartmuth leads a strong group of women, including Lisa Borzani, Sabrina Verjee, Natalie Taylor, Jasmin Paris, and Corinna Sommer, who are hot on her heels.
Photo Roberto Roux Zzam! Agency
TOR450 – Tor des Glaciers: Erwee and Fink Continue to Lead
Meanwhile, in the TOR450 – Tor des Glaciers, Tiaan Erwee and Katja Fink remain in the lead after two nights of racing, showing incredible endurance despite low temperatures. Erwee holds a three-hour lead over second-place runner Alessandro Roncato, while Fink maintains her lead in the women’s race, followed by Erika Flavelle and Marina Plavan. The leaders are pushing forward as they tackle the race’s most difficult stages, with low temperatures and extreme weather making the challenge even more demanding.
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