BikingMan Aura 2023, the fourth event of the season, started under promising skies with the official kick-off in Beaumont-lès-Valence, in the stunning Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The traditional 1,000 km loop awaited the 115 participants, who would tackle a demanding route with 19,000 meters of elevation gain. This challenge would take them through breathtaking landscapes, with two major checkpoints at Saint-Flour at km 257 and Villebois at km 672, before taking on the climbs of Puy Mary and Grand Colombier. A five-day adventure where every pedal stroke counts.
Preparations and start in an electrifying atmosphere
Like other BikingMan events, cyclists equipped themselves and made final preparations before setting off. Gear checks, GPS tracker installation, and a last adventure briefing were essential steps. Tension was evident, as described by one participant:
“There’s always a bit of stress, even when you know the race. It’s a mix of anticipation and excitement,” shared a cyclist from Paris.
“But that’s what makes the competition even more thrilling. You know that anything can happen over 1,000 km,” added Frédéric Monnet.
Start at 5 a.m.: Auvergne awakens
The start was given at 5 a.m., just as the first rays of dawn illuminated the region. From the first few kilometers, Lake Saint-Martial and the Gerbier de Jonc, one of the first challenges on the course, came into view. The leaders quickly pulled away, with Émilien Mottet setting a fierce pace. By midday, he maintained a comfortable lead and was heading towards checkpoint 1.
“My body’s holding up for now. I’d rather use my energy now because later on, the pain in my hands and feet might slow me down.”
The wind: A formidable adversary
Though the sun was shining, another element proved to be the main challenge of the day: the wind. Participants had to contend with gusts that disrupted their progress, some more than others. Jimmy, a participant accustomed to warmer climates, shared his experience:
“The wind absolutely destroyed me. It’s unforgiving. There were times I wondered how I’d keep going.”
The gusts forced cyclists to adapt, sometimes slowing their pace to avoid burning out too soon.
“The wind can be harder to handle than the climbs sometimes. You have to find the right pace so you don’t exhaust yourself all at once,” explained Antoine Dumont, one of Émilien’s chasers.
Checkpoint 1 in Saint-Flour: Halfway through the first day
After 257 km, Émilien Mottet reached checkpoint 1 in Saint-Flour after just 9 hours and 29 minutes of racing. He demonstrated an impressive pace, despite the wind that complicated the climbs.
“It was going well, but that wind was a nightmare,” he confided upon arrival.
Behind him, the chasers, including Antoine Dumont, arrived at scattered intervals about 30 minutes later. Fatigue began to set in for everyone, and a break was necessary before continuing.
“I tried to keep up the pace, but with the wind, it was really a challenge. I focused on eating well to sustain myself, and those who didn’t take the time to do so will regret it,” said Antoine, while enjoying the refreshment stop.
The climb to Puy Mary: A legendary ascent
The lead group didn’t linger long in Saint-Flour. They now faced one of the race’s iconic climbs, Puy Mary, reaching an altitude of 1,589 meters. The day’s fatigue combined with the arduous ascent tested the cyclists, though some kept their spirits high, like Jimmy:
“I come from a much warmer area. Here, with the cold and the headwind, it was really tough. But I’m beyond my goals, and I’m pushing myself further.”
For some, Puy Mary marked the start of an intense night battle. As the sun set, many kilometers still lay ahead before they could rest.
The goal of Saint-Flour: Rest before continuing
Meanwhile, participants further back from the lead group, like Jimmy, set their sights on reaching Saint-Flour, the first checkpoint, where they hoped to sleep before resuming.
“I’m aiming to get to Saint-Flour by 10 p.m. and get some rest. I need to conserve my energy for what’s next.”
Gaps had already begun to widen by the end of the day, and the race continued in darkness for many participants. The night promised to be long and cold for those still advancing towards checkpoint 2 in Villebois, at kilometer 672.
A challenging night and the pursuit of the adventure
As night fell, cyclists still on the road faced cooler temperatures and mounting difficulties. Grueling climbs, combined with fatigue and lack of sleep, began to weigh on the minds and bodies of the participants.
BikingMan Aura 2023 had only just begun, but the first gaps had already opened. In the provisional standings, Émilien Mottet maintained his lead, closely followed by Antoine Dumont and other competitors determined to stay in the race. But with several major challenges still to come, especially the climb of Grand Colombier, anything was still possible.
This first day of racing showed just how much BikingMan Aura is a physical and mental challenge. Between the wind, steep climbs, and accumulating kilometers, each participant had to find their strength to make it through this extraordinary adventure.
BikingMan Aura 2023 already promises to be a formidable challenge, filled with moments of bravery and resilience in the face of the elements. The wind was the primary adversary of the day, but with Puy Mary’s climb conquered for many, the race continues with even more challenges ahead in the coming days.
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