Exclusive | Jim Walmsley will avoid being bullied by the big names at Mont Blanc in the ‘Race of the Decade’

But this year’s 170-kilometre Ultra-Marathon of Mont Blanc (UTMB) is loaded with the top talent, including three-time winner Kilian Journet, of Spain, and new boy Jim Walmsley, of the US.

French star Xavier Thevenard is racing, and is still the only man to win the UTMB and the 120km TDS, 100km CCC and the 56km OCC, which all take place in the same week as the UTMB.

Tim Tollefson came third last year, the best-ever finish for an American, and compatriot David Laney was one place behind.

“You have to beat the best to be considered up there,” Walmsley told the Post. “And this is the best opportunity of my career and anyone else’s career.

“You can’t ask for a better platform if you have aspirations and want to be considered the best,” he said.

Walmsley, who is part of the Hoka One One team, is notorious for flying out the blocks. Other runners conserve their energy and try to come from behind.