The BikingMan Aura 2024 has officially begun, marked by challenging weather conditions on the very first day. In Villard-de-Lans, 200 participants embarked on this 1,000-km ultracycling race, facing an elevation gain of 18,000 meters to be completed in under five days. Before setting off, the athletes made final preparations: gear checks, GPS tracker installations, bike weigh-ins, and last-minute purchases for those in need.

In the moments before the start, participants shared their hopes and concerns. One rider expressed:

“I’m a bit nervous, but it’ll be fine. The sheer distance and effort required worry me, but I’m confident. The main thing is to make it to the end, even if I’m last, and hear that final race bell ring!”

Another competitor, Laurent Boursette, a veteran of several BikingMan races, shared his enthusiasm:

“The goal is to have fun. We’re going to enjoy the route, savor the BikingMan vibe, which looks amazing, especially through my home region, Auvergne.”

The First Few Rainy Kilometers

In the early morning, following a resounding countdown, the riders set off under threatening skies. Soon enough, rain began pouring, accompanying them throughout the day. Within the first 50 kilometers, the weather had already started causing trouble for the ultracyclists.

Simon Vernoux, one of the competitors, was the first to experience a major mechanical issue:

“My Di2 isn’t working right. I can’t shift gears at the back on uphill climbs. I feel like I’ll have to give up; I don’t want to ride 900 km fixed-gear style.”

Unfortunately for him, Simon couldn’t fix his malfunction and was forced to withdraw within the early kilometers—a crushing blow after months of preparation.

The Col de la Bataille Climb: The First Major Challenge

Despite the relentless rain, the cyclists pressed on, tackling increasingly demanding climbs. By early afternoon, at the 72-km mark, they reached the summit of Col de la Bataille, standing at 1,313 meters, one of the race’s initial big obstacles. With temperatures around 52°F (11°C) and rain, this ascent proved even more punishing.

While the tough conditions added a striking touch to the race, the foggy landscapes imbued the course with a mysterious allure. As one rider remarked:

“The view here is incredible, even with the rain. It adds an almost mystical feel to the pass.”

Breaking the 100-km Barrier: Battling the Cold

After conquering the Col de la Bataille, cyclists set their sights on the psychological “100-km barrier.” The rain and cold were starting to wear down their bodies, but their determination remained strong. Some found ways to keep their spirits high, as one rider jokingly sang:

“Where’s happiness, where is it? It’s here. Thanks to a good pizza! Alright, gotta keep going, gotta push forward!”

Pit stops were essential for recharging, with many riders pausing to warm up with hot drinks before continuing.

The Col de la Mure: A Last Climb Before Nightfall

By late afternoon, the participants reached Col de la Mure at 747 meters, after 160 km of racing. Although this climb was relatively accessible, signs of fatigue began to emerge, with heavy legs slowing some cyclists. Fortunately, the rain finally ceased, providing a brief reprieve. As the clouds lifted, the sunset bathed the scenic views, reinvigorating the ultracyclists as they pushed on toward the first checkpoint.

Arriving at Checkpoint 1: Laurent Boursette in the Lead

After 8 hours and 24 minutes of racing, Laurent Boursette became the first to reach checkpoint 1 at Saint-Agrève, having completed the day’s 214 km stage. Right behind him, other competitors began to arrive one by one, exchanging impressions and gearing up for the night ahead.

Drenched but pleased with his performance, Laurent shared his plan for the rest of the night:

“I’m a bit wet, but I changed clothes. I’ll keep riding, not planning to stop tonight. I’ll try to make it to checkpoint 2 with minimal breaks.”

Titouan Reydet, another participant, commented on the difficulties he faced:

“The rain was tough enough, but the Ardèche region is even harder with gradients up to 15%. You really earn that first checkpoint, but I’m happy to have made it and ready for the night!”

Guillaume De Spoelberch, a Belgian rider, taking advantage of his country’s national holiday, humorously noted:

“Today’s July 21, Belgium’s national day, and we got real Belgian weather here at BikingMan Aura! And I’m happy—even if I’m not totally dry, I’m alive!”

The Night Battle Begins

Most cyclists decided to continue after a brief refueling at checkpoint 1, setting off into the first nighttime leg of the BikingMan Aura 2024. Their target: checkpoint 2, located at Saint-Flour, 511 km into the race.

The provisional leaderboard:

1. Titouan Reydet – 267 km
2. Laurent Boursette – +5 km
3. Sébastien Pailly – +6 km
4. Pieter Aarnoutse – +7 km
5. Gregory Cassini – +12 km

A Challenging, Yet Promising First Day

Day one of the BikingMan Aura 2024 demonstrated that this race would live up to its reputation: demanding, unpredictable, and full of surprises. Rain, cold, and mechanical issues tested the participants from the outset, but the ultracycling spirit held strong, with each cyclist tackling these challenges bravely.

To track the riders’ real-time progress, don’t forget to follow BikingMan’s social media and the live tracking platform by Oaka. Join us tomorrow for a recap of day two of the BikingMan Aura 2024, promising even more twists and turns.

Find us on:

• Website : bikingman.com
• Instagram : bikingman_ultra
• Facebook : bikingmanultra
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