After yesterday's first real stage, I now know how the race is going, and Balz and I even managed to get hold of the leader's jersey. Fortunately, the pressure this put on me didn't affect my sleep, but the effort from the previous day was still very noticeable. My pulse was already racing before the start, however, because the gondola lift that we flow riders were allowed to take up to Riederalp was shaking badly due to the stormy Föhn wind. The gondola attendant rides the metal box past the last cable car mast at walking pace.

But we can't start immediately. "We have to wait for the top racers on the marathon route so that you don't get in their way," says the start assistant. Yes, today we also share some sections of the route with the marathon runners. After a good half hour of waiting in the mountain station, there is suddenly a lot of hustle and bustle: "Here we go!" Dressed in our leader jerseys, we face the blustery foehn wind and the light rain. I'm glad we don't have to prove ourselves in the mass start today. Because today I don't feel like I can tear up trees and stand up to over-motivated men just to avoid having to brake after them on the trail.

The first few kilometers are tough and the headwind is tough. I have the feeling we're barely moving. Time and again, steep ramps get in the way of my flowing pleasure: descend, push up, continue climbing, push up another ramp. Soon after the start, I have the feeling that my calves are about to cramp up. I get a bit cranky and keep looking at the speedometer. A total of 32 kilometers and around 1,500 vertical meters to the first checkpoint is a long way when things aren't going so well. Balz only has to listen to my displeasure for a moment, the wind is whistling so loudly around our ears that he can't hear anything anyway and I don't feel like shouting into the wind.

The panorama, on the other hand, is breathtaking and the dark clouds make it even more dramatic than it already is. I can't help but let my gaze wander into the distance. Finally a longer downhill section arrives! This not only restores my morale but also leads us into a side valley spared from the wind. The trail that winds along the side of the mountain is of the highest quality and leaves me with a huge grin on my face - awesome! :D Even the long and really nasty climb that follows doesn't spoil the mood. Balz sacrificially pushes me, the Epic teams overtaking us envy me more than once for my "pushing help".

But soon the road gets steeper and steeper and my legs are no longer able to push the 32 chainring without pulling too hard - I walk, it's easier. But soon we've mastered this "piece of crap" of a climb and are almost overwhelmed again. We enter a great single trail, which, ironically, Balz and I had already used as an ascent a year ago. Downhill, it's just great and I can't help but let out a whoop. This trail leads us to the small mountain village of Jeizinen, where the second big climb of the day begins. I feel a bit better than after the start and quickly find a good rhythm. The pleasant incline proves to be very useful and the anticipation of the upcoming descent gives me an extra boost.

Once we've finally turned into it, we speed down the trails - we've really found the flow. Perhaps almost too much. Because at a junction, Balz continues unperturbed, but I'm suddenly unsure whether we've ridden the right way. "Wrong" is suddenly shouted at us and I shout the same to Balz. The Epic and Flow routes separate at this point and we almost ended up on the uphill to Leukerbad instead of this simply awesome downhill. Fortunately, we didn't lose much either.

The trails that follow are familiar to us from a few excursions in Valais, so we're looking forward to what awaits us. You'd think that if you know the trails, you can ride faster. Maybe so, but Balz takes it too far a few times and almost misses the bends twice and almost goes over the handlebars once.
We soon arrive at the checkpoint unscathed. Only our hands hurt after this rough descent.

On the shuttle bus back to Leukerbad, we learn that the last descent has been shortened considerably. This is because our next section has been shortened due to the strong wind. Another ascent with the gondola would be too dangerous with the strong crosswind. We start far below the planned flow trail, enjoy the short and technical trail section before rushing up the last few meters along the road to the finish in the village. The second stage is over and, to our surprise, we get to keep the leader's jersey for another day.

I'm surprised how well we work as a team in a format I'm not used to, the tasks are clearly distributed even without an agreement; Balz rides the nice and fast lines in front and I'm responsible for the overtaking maneuvers if Balz is following too long. :D

Photos @Sportograf and Lightmoment