The Ultimate Challenge of Southeastern Corsica
Day four of BikingMan Origine Corsica tested the remaining participants as they neared the end of this demanding 1,000-km journey across the “Île de Beauté.” Near Ghisoni, in the spectacular Inzecca Gorge—a stunning natural site with deep gorges—the race continued. But it was in the southeast loop that the riders faced the day’s real challenges: the formidable climbs of Col de l’Ospedale and Col de Bavella, located between kilometers 600 and 700, proving to be a turning point for many participants.
The Formidable Climbs of Col de l’Ospedale and Col de Bavella
Cyclists began the day with the ascent of Col de l’Ospedale, a steep climb surrounded by grand landscapes, followed by the even tougher Col de Bavella, featuring long ascents and rugged red granite formations. The faces of the cyclists showed the accumulated exhaustion since the start of the race.
Rémy Borrion, who led the race, overcame these challenges with determination, maintaining his lead. Behind him, other participants tried to keep up, but these two passes took their toll. Mathieu Belay, one of the participants tackling this pass, shared:
“We hit a bit of a slump last night; the road was tough and took a lot out of us.”
Another competitor, Joanie Lemire, explained:
“This is an extraordinary, colossal experience that takes me through incredible highs and lows. That’s why I’m here!”
Amélie Plennevaux stated:
“We’ll eat at CP3, and if all goes well, we won’t sleep tonight. We’ll push through to the finish. But if not, we’ll book a place to stay and tackle the last 100 km tomorrow morning before noon.”
Checkpoint 3 in Zicavo and Strategic Breaks
Throughout the day, many riders opted for a strategic stop at checkpoint 3 in Zicavo, located at kilometer 767, to gather strength before moving on. Here, Laurianne Plaçais and Jean-Michel Maurin, who had decided to ride together for part of the race, took a moment to rest and reassess their strategy. This approach was shared by other riders who knew the next challenge, Col de Verde, would be a tough stage to tackle without an energy boost.
The Climb to Col de Verde: Fatigue Mounts
Col de Verde, at kilometer 785 and rising to 1,289 meters, is one of the most imposing passes on the route. Those who reached it felt the effects of accumulated fatigue and lack of sleep. Dorian Nguy, who reached the pass with a group of cyclists, shared his experience:
“Tough climb, third day, pain everywhere… everywhere. The nights are tough.”
Despite the challenges, these participants kept pushing forward, motivated by the beautiful landscapes around them and the thought of crossing the finish line.
Castagniccia Region: A Scenic Route and the First Finishers in Biguglia
After Col de Verde, participants followed the cliffside road between Castagniccia and Costa Verde, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. For many, this was a chance to recover a bit and get motivated for the final stretch. Jean Paul Sachet, admiring the scenery, said:
“I’m taking in the view before descending to the coast. It gives a bit of energy. I’ll look at the next part of the plan later.”
Meanwhile, in Biguglia, Rémy Borrion crossed the finish line, securing his dominance in this edition of BikingMan Origine Corsica. With an impressive time of under 50 hours, he claimed his third BikingMan victory. Rémy shared his thoughts on his well-earned win:
“I hadn’t won anything recently, so I’m happy to get this one. The scenery along the way was incredible, though at night I couldn’t see much. It was an intense race.”
Behind him, Jonathan Chassin finished in second place, expressing his joy despite his fatigue:
“Riding at night through Bavella with pigs crossing in front of you—it’s really amazing. It was beautiful.”
In third place was Grégory Cassini, who expressed surprise at his ability to keep pedaling despite the exhaustion:
“I didn’t think I could make it without sleeping, but in the end, you find hidden reserves of strength.”
The Final Challenge Before the Finish: the Ascent to Casalta
Not all participants had reached Biguglia yet; those still on the course faced one last obstacle—a steep 20% climb to the village of Casalta. Bertrand Notte, taking on this final challenge, laughed through the pain:
“It’s inhumane, help!”
Likewise, Aurélien Rivard, progressing slowly but steadily, shared his thoughts on the punishing climb:
“What a way to end! After 950 km, finishing on a 20% grade… it’s heating up now, perfect!”
And Alexandre Coddeville added:
“Oh, this is a good one! A treat! Thanks, Axel! A nice little dessert, a digestif!”
The Final Countdown and Pride of the Finishers
While the first finishers savored their victory, many participants were still on the road, facing their own challenges. Every pedal stroke brought them closer to the finish line, as the countdown continued. The effort, pain, and perseverance were evident on their faces, but so was the pride of participating in such an intense adventure.
Day four of BikingMan Origine Corsica 2024 was marked by heroic efforts, monumental challenges, and camaraderie among riders who supported each other to the end. The remaining participants will need to finish on time tomorrow, on the fifth and final day of this epic adventure. The provisional ranking is now established, and the list of finishers will continue to grow as the race nears its end.
Tomorrow, we’ll witness the final leg of this breathtaking journey that will remain etched in the memories of the BikingMan Origine Corsica 2024 ultracyclists.
Find us on:
- Website : bikingman.com
- Instagram : bikingman_ultra
- Facebook : bikingmanultra
- Strava : / strava
We discussed with Joel Steve, former PRO triathlete (53 ironman completed), Race Across America finisher (1994), coach and expert in bike-fitting. …
Read on the awesome and surprising cycling experience we had in Taiwan during our recon rides! In the foreigners’ mind, little is known …
BikingMan X Morocco 2023 was much more than just an ultracycling race; it was a journey across Morocco’s diverse landscapes, a 1000 …
