Video: Alpine Challenge 2011

It's windy out there. Windy and wet. Windy and wet and cold. Windy and wet and cold and... well, you get the picture. Anyway what better way to escape from all that than have a gander at the official Alpine Challenge 2011 video, which features sun, mountains, sun, Yanto Barker, sun, climbing and sun.

If you're not familiar with it, the Alpine Challenge is a three-day, four-stage timed event based in Annecy. There's an 11km mass-start time trial up a big hill to sort out the men from the boys - sorry, to seed the riders - and after that three more stages that take in some of the most picturesque scenery the area has to offer. There's timed sections on the major climbs to decide who gets to wear the red jersey for the king of the mountains. There's a pink one for the ladies, too. Top honours in the men's went to Jered Gruber, who we met at the Ultegra Di2 launch in Aigle and can confirm is a very nice man indeed, so props to him. Kelli Bayliss went home with the ladies' prize.

The vid is nearly half an hour long so you might want to kick back with a cup of tea. Or pick the bits that are most scenic. Your choice. Anyway, enjoy!