Built to break Records (ENG)

Chasing 4554 — More than a Record

11:00:07
From Genoa to the Capanna Margherita (4’554 m).
By bike. By skis. In one continuous push.

Jocelyn Verdenal did it.

It started with waiting

The original plan was to go on March 30th. Everything was ready. But in the mountains, plans don’t matter if the conditions aren’t right. The weather forced us to postpone.

So we waited, watched, and adjusted. Until a new window opened: Sunday, April 5th.

Genoa, 01:00

The night in Genoa was short. Almost no sleep.

There was still a lot to do — preparing the bikes, choosing the right lights, figuring out how Jocelyn should dress to stay warm through the night while remaining aerodynamic, and planning a day that would stretch from sea level to a glacier at over 4’500 meters.

At 2:10 in the morning, everything was ready. Jocelyn rolled out into the dark. Three support cars followed.

Conditions were good. Almost no wind, no traffic, temperatures dropping to around 5.5°C. The first hours went smoothly. Jocelyn was slightly behind the record — around five minutes — but still well within the plan.

There were small challenges. A Garmin issue drained more battery than expected and had to be swapped. His stomach reacted to the constant intake of sugar. Nothing critical, but enough to remind everyone how fragile such an effort can be.

When the light comes back

With the first daylight, the rhythm changed.

Jocelyn found his flow, closed the gap, and moved back on pace. The transition onto the climbing setup marked a turning point. This was his terrain — long efforts, controlled power, focus.

On the climb towards Gressoney, he didn’t just hold the pace — he gained time. Around 15 minutes ahead of the previous record.

From here on, it was no longer about chasing. It was about building something new.

From wheels to skis

At the checkpoint, everything had to be precise. The switch from bike to skimo is not just a gear change — it’s a complete shift in movement, rhythm, and mindset.

From here, Jocelyn continued together with Franco Collé, who accompanied him on the final ascent.

The climb through the ski area towards Capanna Mantova (3’400 m) was lined with familiar faces. Family and friends had gathered there, including Bruno Brunod, Jasmin’s father and himself a former record holder.

It was an emotional moment. One of those rare points where effort, history, and people come together. You could feel what it meant.

The glacier

Above 3’400 meters, everything slows down.

The air gets thinner, the world quieter, and the effort becomes internal. Step by step, over the glacier, towards 4’554 meters.

This is where it becomes a mental game. And this is where Jocelyn made the difference — gaining more and more time on the record.

The final meters

The last section is done on foot, with crampons. Steep, exposed, unforgiving.

Everything was ready.

Lukas and Benjamin had already gone ahead during the night to catch the first cable cars at 7:30, gaining a head start to reach the hut and prepare for the final shots.
Steve Kippel positioned himself lower down, informing other alpinists and making space.
Tanguy and Lukas were waiting at the top with cameras.
Benjamin had the drone in the air.

At the 11-hour mark, Jocelyn pushed. Fully committed. Running at an altitude where even walking is hard.

Roped together with Franco, Steve just behind with the camera, they crossed the final ridge and went straight onto the balcony of the hut.

11:00:07

It was done.

An explosion of emotion. Tears, exhaustion, relief. Everything at once.

A call to Jasmin. Pride. Silence.

After one and a half years from the first idea, the project had become reality.

And it was clear: this was never just about breaking a record.

Coming back down

After changing, they skied down together.

At Capanna Mantova, family and friends were waiting. From there, the group continued down into the valley — ending the day with pizza, beer, and even a cake prepared by the restaurant team.

Simple moments. Exactly what was needed.

A valley that carried the project

Throughout the entire day, the support in the Aosta Valley was incredible.

Monterosa Ski made access possible, lift operators helped, restaurants followed the attempt, people knew what was happening and became part of it.

Even though Jocelyn is originally from Alsace, this felt like a home project.

Behind the scenes

While Jocelyn was moving forward, another story was unfolding around him.

During the night, Lukas and Benjamin drove ahead to position themselves high up on the mountain, aiming to capture the final moments from above.

Nico and Sandro stayed close to the action for most of the day, following the effort with cameras and drone — documenting not only the movement, but the atmosphere around it.

Jasmin supported the entire day, managing nutrition, staying close to the process, and later joining via cable car to Capanna Mantova.

What looks effortless in the final film required serious preparation.

The media setup alone included three full-frame video cameras, three photo cameras, nine lenses, two drones, a gimbal, multiple microphones and batteries — all running in cold and changing conditions.

On the bike side, the setup was just as demanding: a TT bike, two road bikes, multiple headlights for the night section, spare parts, tools, and everything needed to react instantly.

Humbl — more than bikes

Humbl supported the project with the bikes — three setups, each built for a specific part of the challenge.

But more than that, we were there. As a team. Supporting, adapting, sharing the process.

This is what Humbl stands for.

Not just products, but stories. Not just performance, but connection.

More than a record

Chasing 4554 started as an idea.
A line from sea level to 4’554 meters.

In the end, it became something bigger.

A project shaped by people, trust, effort, and shared belief.

And one we will never forget.