For many years, Pontier announces that the long stages are to his advantage. Today he had the opportunity to confirm his statements. He did it with remarkable control and calm. If he had tried to follow the fast pace led by the Iberian, his team would certainly have slowed down at the end of the stage. He took it easy and capitalize on the endurance abilities of his dogs. This first victory shows that he is now among the best and that his place on the podium is not stolen. It proves also that the so called long-distance Nordic dogs such as Jean-Philippe ones may well compete with the Czechoslovak teams with appropriate training. So congratulations to him who is the last of the top four to win a stage this year. He confirms his third place today at the expense of Spanish and can foresee this last stage with more serenity. However, we have seen all the leaders winning a stage and the final camp will be critical. The one who will drop a dog or more of his team or carry it in his sled could lose precious minutes.

 

Radek Havrda knows that he has won the race if he faces no serious problem. His scratch in the final stage of La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont 2011 has certainly been a great lesson. Since several stages, he has rest some of his dogs. He was the only leader to run only 8 dogs. He has more motivation now that his wife and two daughters have arrived to support him. A surprise organized by his handlers that delighted the 2009 champion.

 

The start of the longest stage of the race will be launched tomorrow at 3:00pm, a stage in two parts of 76 and 88 km, with a night camp in between, that will lead the teams to the finish line in Lanslebourg around noon.