For only four seconds, the transalpine duo let the victory slip away in favor of the French Matheo Jacquemoud and Samuel Equy on this penultimate stage, 20 km long, including 2300 m of elevation gain, taking the competitors to the famous Grand Mont.
This is the historic high point of the race on which a few thousand people traditionally come to encourage the skiers in a festive and noisy atmosphere during the last stage, on Saturday.
But due to the poor conditions forecast for Saturday with a vitrified summit, the passage through the Grand Mont has been brought forward to Friday.
The PIerra Menta competitors climb the Grand Mont, during the 3rd stage, on March 11, 2022 in Arèches-Beaufort JEFF PACHOUD AFP
With fewer spectators, a temperature of -3 degrees and a wind blowing at more than 40 km/h, the course was tough.
Jacquemoud/Equy finished it in 2h 21min 43sec, just ahead of Eydallin/Boscacci (2h 21min 47).
The Italians, partners for the first time, remain leaders overall, with a five-minute lead over the French duo Xavier Gachet/William Bon Mardion, followed less than a minute behind by the Spaniard Kilian Jornet and his teammate, Austrian Jakob Herrmann.
The Italian Michele Boscacci, during the 3rd stage of the Pierra Menta, on March 11, 2022 at Grand Mont, in the Beaufortain massif JEFF PACHOUD AFP
François D'haene, victim of an impressive but harmless fall (injury to the nose and left wrist), still holds 6th place overall with his friend Yoann Sert.
Among the women, the pair made up of the French Axelle Mollaret Gachet (N.3 world) and the Swede Tove Alexandersson (N.1 world) won their third stage in a row (2 h 54) and posted an hour of ahead of her direct pursuers in the general standings, the Italians Katia Tomatis/Martina Valmassoi.
The French Axelle Mollaret (g), during the 3rd stage of the Pierra Menta, on March 11, 2022 in Arèches-Beaufort JEFF PACHOUD AFP
The last stage takes place on Saturday with a priori an ascent to the Col de la Forclaz (2374 m).
© 2022 AFP