Content with its status as a mecca for cyclists, this week Alpe d’Huez adjusts its loyalties and welcomes the chunky tyres, full body armour and death-defying speeds of the sport’s rowdy younger siblings, the mountain bikers. It’s Megavalanche week and if you’ve not heard of this event before, here are some stats: 2000 riders; 40% Brits; 1450m vertical drop to qualify; 2600m vertical drop in the final; fastest recorded time: 45minutes, 37 seconds. It’s mental!

And I’ll be there over the weekend to take a few photos and catch some of the race on video. There’s just one slight problem. It’ll take me about about twice as long as the competitors to get from start to finish, and that’s not even on a bike. I’ll be recording in the snow at the top of Pic Blanc, 3330m, and at the finish line down in Allemont at 730m. The finals take place on Saturday (Ladies and Mega Challenger) and Sunday (Megavalanche and Mega Amateurs) and with temperatures hovering around 30ºC, it’s bound to be a hot and sweaty weekend. Check in later for photos, videos and results.