More than 150 participants started the first Verticale 06 between Villeneuve-Loubet and Valberg. Nice native Thomas Navarro won in 6h13m24s at the end of a 143-kilometer course marked by significant elevation gain.
The first edition of Verticale 06 ended on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Valberg. This new outdoor event connected the Azure Coast to the peaks of the Alpes-Maritimes. The course included 2.5 km of swimming, crossed 19 municipalities with 124 kilometers of cycling, 3,500 meters of elevation gain and a trail finish (16.8 km) in the Valberg resort.
Charles Ange Ginésy attended the finish alongside Marie-Amélie Ginésy, mayor of Péone-Valberg, Jean-Paul David, mayor of Guillaumes, and Sami Driss, general director of Yotta Sports. Julien Absalon, double Olympic champion in mountain bike cross-country, also participated in this first edition as the event’s patron. The president of the Alpes-Maritimes department noted the « exceptional performances that command respect and admiration. On such a demanding format, combining exceptional distances, significant elevation gain and difficult conditions, the times achieved demonstrate the very high level of the athletes present and the intensity of this unique sporting challenge. »
Thomas Navarro won the men’s solo triathlon with a time of 6h13m24s. Valentin Deschamps-Gayot took second place ahead of Julien Absalon. Among the women, Vittoria Bergamini won in 7h57m37s.
« It was important for me to be at the start », said Nice native Thomas Navarro at the finish. « I am very happy to have started the Verticale. First, because I am from Nice and racing at home has a special flavor. Second, I like to participate in first editions of races that promise a bright future. And then this event was organized by my new club, Team Yotta. »
The Azure Coast winner made the difference in the cycling section. « Former cyclist, the long climbs matched my qualities perfectly and I managed to build a lead quite early », added Thomas Navarro, who notably stood out at the Ironman 70.3 in Langkawi 2025 by winning the vice-champion title.
An event between the coast and Mercantour
The start was given in Villeneuve-Loubet before a crossing of the Alpes-Maritimes to Valberg. Competitors crossed five mountain passes by bike: Vence, Ferres, Saint-Raphaël, Sainte-Anne and Quartier. The climbs of the Vence pass and the Cians gorges marked this first edition.
Sami Driss, general director of Yotta Sports, recalled the project’s ambition: « the idea of Verticale du 06 was born from the ambition to provide incredible emotions to triathletes, highlighting this beautiful Alpes-Maritimes department, with a start at sea level and a finish at the mountain peaks. »
More than 150 participants started the race. One hundred ten volunteers were mobilized along the course.
Julien Absalon praised the race format: « it’s not just a triathlon, it’s a real adventure: starting from the sea to finish in the Mercantour, in Valberg, that’s something magical », said the French mountain bike champion.
Marie-Amélie Ginésy spoke about the race arriving in Valberg: « seeing so many athletes cross the finish line after such an effort is a significant moment and a great reward for all those who contributed to the success of the event. »
In the men’s relay, Team Ekoi composed of Stéphane Rosetto, Jacky Everaerdt and Casimir Moine won the race in 6h16m52s. In the men’s solo duathlon, Ezio Tallone won ahead of Pierre Violeau and Thibaut Imbert.
Vittoria Bergamini, winner of the women’s solo triathlon, also highlighted the difficulty of the course: « the course is demanding, with no real moment of respite, but the atmosphere is superb and you feel it fully », explained the Italian woman after the finish.
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