BikingMan Alpes-Maritimes 2024: the start of a breathtaking challenge on day 1

The BikingMan Alpes Maritimes 2024, the third stage of the Ultra Cycling World Championship, began in Briançon, launching a 1,000-km race with 22,000 meters of elevation to be completed in under 5 days (120 hours) in full self-sufficiency. Regarded as one of the toughest stages of the 2024 season, it requires athletes to manage their sleep, food supplies, and any potential mechanical issues in the heart of the mountains.

Here’s a recap of this epic first day, where every participant tested their limits against this formidable course.

First impressions before the start (morning)

Before the big start, excitement was palpable among the 120 participants, who felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Some shared their goals and thoughts, like athlete Bruno Laffargue, who told us:

“It’s hard to describe the feeling. A bit of impatience, a bit of worry… it’s a mix of all that. But I’m thrilled to be here.”

Others, marked by past events, were determined to push themselves. One cyclist who hadn’t finished the Corsica stage said:

“Right now, I haven’t completed a full BikingMan. The idea is to really test my body.”

The ascent of Col de la Cayolle (10:00 – 14:00)

The race began, and riders set off toward their first major challenge: Col de la Cayolle, located at the 50-km mark. Twenty kilometers of climbing awaited them, offering a majestic view. At the summit, early riders like Guillaume de Spoelberch shared their impressions:

“What a beautiful pass, wow! But it leaves its mark.”

At 2,326 meters, Col de la Cayolle is a symbolic passage in the BikingMan Alpes-Maritimes. The weather wasn’t entirely favorable at the start, with very cool temperatures and some rain. The riders prepared for a 30-km descent toward Briançon, where the weather would continue to play a crucial role.

The steep slopes of Col de Pontis (14:00 – 17:00)

The afternoon led cyclists to the day’s second big challenge: Col de Pontis. Although it’s only 5 km long and peaks at 1,300 meters, its slopes reaching 11% were impactful. A participant shared his surprise:

“This pass is tough! I didn’t think it was this steep, but it’s okay, it’s still early so I can handle it, and no rain, so that’s good.”

Gérard Rancon added:

“Ah, finally, an incline! I’m calm now. You can’t tell by looking at me, but I feel great!”

Despite the climb’s difficulty, the spectacular views of Lake Serre-Ponçon offered visual relief. This artificial lake, built in 1961 for hydroelectric energy and to irrigate local farmland, is one of Western Europe’s largest, stretching about twenty kilometers and accompanying cyclists on their route toward checkpoint 1.

Checkpoint 1 at Briançon and early reflections (17:00 – 20:00)

At the 185-km mark, cyclists reached the first checkpoint in Briançon. The leaders had already set a blazing pace, with Sébastien Pailly, winner of the BikingMan Euskadi the previous year, crossing the checkpoint first in under 7 hours, followed closely by his competitors.

The mood at this stage was mixed. Some were pleased with their strong pace, while others were beginning to feel the first signs of fatigue. One participant shared:

“I feel intense pain in my legs; I may have started out a bit too fast.”

The first night and the approach to Italy (20:00 – midnight)

As night fell, participants prepared for their first nighttime challenge. Heading toward Italy, they faced Col du Finestre, at an altitude of 2,178 meters. The temperatures dropped, making for a very cold night, especially for the top three, Sébastien Pailly, Jean-Michel Maurin, and Laurianne Plaçais.

“I’ll ride all night; whether to stop or not will make the difference,” said Jean-Michel Maurin, determined to push on without a break.

The provisional standings are:

1. Sébastien Pailly – 6h 57m
2. Jean-Michel Maurin – 7h 05m
3. Cédric Le Pennedu – 7h 23m
4. Laurianne Plaçais – 7h 23m
5. Guillaume de Spoelberch – 7h 34m

Day 1 of BikingMan Alpes-Maritimes 2024 offered a glimpse into the difficulty of this ultra-cycling event. Majestic mountain passes, varied weather conditions, and breathtaking scenery accompanied participants through this first stage.

This was just the beginning of a demanding race where every pedal stroke counts. Join us tomorrow for day 2, as the ultracyclists continue their epic journey through the Alpes Maritimes, ready to face new challenges.

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