Clementz, Vouilloz and Lau win special stages on day 5

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Day 5 of Trans-Provence showed in equal measure the spirit of cooperation and support that has always been the part of the spirit of the race, but also the transition of the event, the sport, and the concept of multi-day enduro style racing. From a mostly amateur affair to a to a recognised discipline in its own right, and with it the need for more stringent rules and the application of penalties for those that break them.

There were three winners on the four special stages: Nicolas Lau (Cube Action Team),
Jérôme Clementz (Cannondale/Mavic) and Nicolas Vouilloz (Lapierre). Vouilloz took two special stages while Lau claimed the day's overall. Lau also leads Clementz and Vouilloz in the general classification after five days.

Day 5 itself was a very physical day with some of the hardest pedalling special stages of the week and still really technical. If you're not already spent after four days of riding and racing, the day's special stages are punctuated by big asphalt climbs over two Cols.

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So let's talk about the spirit of the event then, and what makes it so special. Yesterday saw Fabien Barel happily lend his spare Mondraker to one of our amateur racers to ride after he broke his own bike. No fuss, no drama just another rider helping out another rider - Watching the riders face as he was handed Barel's nearly brand new Mondraker was a priceless moment.

More of the spirit of camaraderie was seen at the top of the second Col, and the start of special stage 3. Mixed groups of riders cleaned the last of the climb, maybe led out by a pro downhiller with a cross country World Cup racer in tow, the most unlikely grouping of riders imaginable taking turns to slug it out in front. Taking time to catch their breath, sitting along the edge of the start of third special stage to cheer each other on through the first few switch backs . Imagine dropping in to a section and being whooped and whistled for your efforts by Mark Weir, Fabien Barel, Nico Vouilloz , Nicolas Lau , Matti Lehikoinen, Anne-Caroline Chausson and Adam Craig to name but a few and you're just a regular rider who's out for the week to take part. Where else are you going to being cheered on by some of the fastest riders in the world?

Those of you that have been following the event will also be aware that yesterday for the first time in the history the race, time penalties were given out for cutting corners on sections.

This year, perhaps reflecting the way the event has changed, rules have been added regarding cutting corners through switchbacks, as much as anything to protect the trails that we're privileged to be able to use, and secondly to keep competition fair. Whilst we cannot police every corner if riders are openly cutting corners in front of riders, they will be and were time penalised.

Ash Smith gave the official race director's statement: "On the Mavic Trans-Provence 2012 Day 5 (Thursday 27/09/2012), approximately 15 riders were accused of, and subsequently admitted to, "cutting the course" at the start of special stage 17.

"However, the complex set of circumstances of which the stage start situation was comprised, and the lack of information from Trans-Provence staff sources regarding rider discussions, decisions and actions, leads Trans-Provence race director to believe that the standard three-minute course cut penalty cannot not be applied. Nevertheless, due to the fact that most riders did ride the corner in question correctly, a penalty reflecting the time gained by the offending riders was applied. The penalty given was 30 seconds."

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