A decisive weekend in Val Cenis for La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin

Trophée Allianz

Val Cenis played host to a decisive stage of La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin, where elite international mushers confirmed their dominance in the heart of the Alps.

Val Cenis hosted a crucial weekend of racing as La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin reached the conclusion of Stage 7 in the French Alps.

On January 18, following a demanding first section of 48 km climbing to the Mont Cenis Pass at 2,083 meters, the 24 competitors started the second part of the stage at 5:30 pm from Val Cenis Lanslebourg. The 38 km loop through Bessans to Bonneval-sur-Arc provided an ideal setting for teams to demonstrate the full strength of their dog sleds.

Spanish musher Iker Ozkoidi Garcia, wearing the Suzuki-sponsored leader’s bib, claimed his eighth consecutive stage victory in 1:39:20. He extended his overall lead to more than 52 minutes over fellow Spaniard Javier Ruiz Corte. Norwegian musher Sissel Wolf Molmen finished third on the stage and remains firmly on the overall podium.

In the Allianz Trophy, Jérémy Ferrand secured both the stage win and the overall title. “The dogs understood it was time to go all out,” he said, referring to their long-distance training. Cyril Kaluszynski finished second, while Italy’s Lisa Bonato completed the podium.

In the Nordic category, Jean Combazard strengthened his lead despite pressure from Ingrid Abraham, who finished the stage with five dogs after an incident mid-race.

La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin now heads to Saint-François-Longchamp for the next stage, a 37 km route over the Madeleine Pass to Doucy-Valmorel, continuing its journey through the heart of the Alps.