Kilian Jornet: „My muscles were cramping throughout the race!”

„My muscles were cramping”

Even though he was smiling at the finish line, Kilian Jornet was slightly circumspect. „I don’t know if it was because of the heat but I had a hard time today, he confided. I had muscle cramps really quickly and then I had to manage the rest of the race.” But when asked if he thinks it was too soon after Hardrock the Catalan replied: „I don’t think so. In training everything was going well, the legs were fine, and I felt like I’d recovered. I really think it’s the heat, or maybe something else. We’ll see. I’m keeping to my initial plan to go to UTMB. It’s not the same kind of race and I think it’ll be fine. I’m nevertheless thrilled with my current form, and I’ll try and recover well.” It’s important to remember that despite his cramps Kilian finished in 5^th place at this extremely high-level edition of Sierre-Zinal notably marked by the incredible performance of the African runners.

„It’s really beautiful to watch them running!”

Whilst in the lead group, Kilian was able to admire Mark Kangogo’s style. „At the top of the first uphill, he put the pedal to the metal just before the first aid station, and it was really beautiful to watch, he confirms. I was with Rémi (Bonnet), and we couldn’t keep up with his rhythm. He was running so fast, it was incredible!” As for the sprint finish and his fourth place stolen from right under his nose at the finish line by Petro Mamu (Scarpa, Eritrea), Kilian laughs: „I saw him behind me, but I thought he wasn’t going to sprint! Well, he did! Nice job!„