Built to break Records (ENG)

Chasing 4554 — More than a Record

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

Jocelyn Verdenal did it.

An idea that stayed

The idea didn’t come in a big moment. It came casually.

In February 2024, during a race in Italy, Jocelyn spoke with his friend Franco Collé about this unique record — from the sea to the summit of Monte Rosa, first by bike, then on touring skis.

Franco simply said:
“Dai Dai Jojo, this is for you. Let’s do it.”

Words like that stay with you. Especially when they come from someone who knows exactly what it takes.

Shortly after, Jocelyn spoke with Bruno Brunod — a legend in mountain endurance, former record holder on multiple peaks. But for Jocelyn, above all, the father of his partner Jasmin.

The idea became real. And personal.

Building the project

The following winter, the decision was made: this project would happen.

Through Benjamin, Jocelyn connected with Humbl. From there, everything started to take shape — not just the equipment, but the full concept: transitions, pacing, nutrition, timing.

A first attempt had to be cancelled due to weather.
Looking back, that was a good thing. The team wasn’t ready yet.

Meanwhile, the record dropped again — to 11h52.

The goal stayed the same.

Waiting for the right moment

The next planned date at the end of March had to be postponed as well.
Too much wind. Poor glacier conditions.

Back to Zermatt. Back to waiting.

Until the window finally opened:
Sunday, April 5th, 2026.

Genoa, 00:30 AM

Race day starts in the middle of the night.

Almost no sleep. Tension. Focus.

The setup is complex:
three bikes, lighting systems for the night, clothing for temperatures ranging from sea level to high alpine conditions, nutrition, transitions.

The course is divided into three parts:
first over the Col del Turchino on a climbing setup, then long and flat in the TT position towards Pont-Saint-Martin, and finally the climb into the Aosta Valley.

At 02:10 AM, Jocelyn rolls out.

Through the night

Conditions are good. No traffic. Almost no wind.

But early on, small issues appear.

The Garmin drains more battery than expected.
His stomach starts reacting to the constant sugar intake.

After around five hours, Jocelyn reaches Pont-Saint-Martin — about 6 minutes behind the record.

“This wasn’t my strength. But I knew my terrain was still to come.”

Turning point in the mountains

As the road begins to rise, everything changes.

Jocelyn finds his rhythm, starts gaining time, and arrives in Gressoney with around 10 minutes ahead of the record.

Now comes the key moment: the transition to skimo.

Thanks to a perfectly executed changeover by Jasmin and the team, it takes only minutes. The lead grows to around 15 minutes.

Climbing higher

The ascent through the Monterosa ski area goes well.

The body responds. The stomach issues fade.
Focus returns.

At Capanna Mantova (3,400 m), family and friends are waiting.
Among them, Bruno Brunod.

A powerful moment that shows what this project really means.

The glacier — where it’s decided

From here, Franco Collé joins as partner.

He knows the terrain like no one else.
The remaining 2,000+ vertical meters become a mental game.

They move fast. Very fast.
By Mantova, the lead has grown to around 30 minutes.

But it gets harder. Altitude. Cold. Fatigue.

The final 1,000 meters

Between 3,500 and 4,500 meters, every step becomes heavier.

Franco gives the cue: 30–35 minutes to go.
The hut is visible. The watch confirms it — sub 11 hours is possible.

The final section is on crampons.
A brief moment of fatigue — then the final push.

11:00:07

Jocelyn steps onto the terrace of the Capanna Margherita.

Record.

52 minutes faster than the previous time.

Emotions. Exhaustion. Disbelief.

“Only 24 hours later do you really understand what happened.”

A rider from Alsace, who started cycling seriously at 20 and skimo at 30, connects the Mediterranean Sea to 4,554 meters in 11 hours.

A shared moment

At the summit, they stand together: Franco, Lukas, Benjamin, Steve, Tanguy.

And behind them, everyone who made this possible.

Back down

After the summit, they ski down together.

At Mantova, family and friends are waiting.
Then further down into the valley — pizza, beer, and even a cake prepared by the restaurant team.

Simple. Real. Exactly right.

A valley that carried the project

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

Lift operators, restaurants, locals — many knew, many helped.

This became something bigger than just a record attempt.

Behind the scenes

While Jocelyn was moving forward, another story unfolded.

The team moved ahead during the night, positioning themselves high up to capture the final moments. Others followed the entire effort with cameras and drones.

Multiple cameras, drones, batteries, microphones — all in constant use.
Alongside three bikes, lighting systems, spare parts, and tools.

A setup with no room for mistakes.

Humbl — more than bikes

Humbl provided the bikes for this project.

But it was never just about equipment.

It was about being part of the process. Supporting from within. Making something like this possible.

More than a record

Chasing 4554 started as an idea.

In the end, it became a story.

A line from the sea to 4,554 meters —
shaped by people, trust, and shared effort.

And that’s what it’s really about.