BikingMan Aura 2023 entered its second day, and the challenges only intensified. After a long, cold first night, the 115 participants aimed for checkpoint 2 at Villebois, at kilometer 674, but not without struggle. Between withdrawals, freezing nights, and daunting climbs, cyclists had to dig deep to continue this extreme adventure across the majestic landscapes of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
A freezing night and the first withdrawals
By Monday evening, around 11 p.m., most of the leaders had already passed the 400 km mark. Émilien Mottet maintained his lead with impressive consistency, while a small group of chasers stayed close behind, hoping to close the gap without taking too many risks.
“My goal is to get through the next challenges and then rest. This is an endurance race, and it really starts at 700 km. You have to know how to conserve energy,” shared one cyclist in the middle of the night.
However, the night didn’t go smoothly for everyone. At 5:13 a.m., news of a surprising withdrawal came in: Maximilien Couvreur, a favorite in the race, had dropped out. A top contender in the BikingMan Origin championship, Maximilien, sick and exhausted, decided to end his journey.
“I crossed paths with him during the night; he wasn’t feeling well. He had trouble digesting. Now it’s confirmed: he’s out. It’s a big blow for him, as he was here to score valuable points. He may have to turn to other stages in the championship to catch up,” explained Axel Carion.
Émilien Mottet tackles Grand Colombier
Despite Maximilien’s withdrawal, the race continued for the others, and at 8 a.m., Émilien Mottet reached checkpoint 2 in Villebois after 27 hours and 4 minutes of racing. Still as determined as ever, he took only a short break before setting out to conquer the next major challenge: Grand Colombier, a feared col reaching 1,500 meters in altitude.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’ll avoid taking another break and try to get there as quickly as possible,” he shared before getting back on his bike.
The chasers arrived over two hours behind the leader.
“I decided to pace myself for this second day, without focusing too much on the others. Otherwise, you can burn out quickly,” said Jeremy Allinger, one of the cyclists aiming to keep a steady rhythm despite the grueling conditions.
“My goal is to finish by Wednesday morning. We’ll see if that’s doable,” shared Alexandre Meurillon.
The night had been especially tough on everyone. Between the biting cold and the sharp wind, some cyclists admitted they struggled.
“It was a horrible night. The wind was freezing; we spent most of the time descending in the cold. It was really challenging,” recounted Lorris Pasquier.
Grand Colombier: The ultimate test
The morning of the second day brought participants to the foot of Grand Colombier, one of the most feared climbs of BikingMan Aura. Nearly 16 km of uphill awaited them, with inclines reaching up to 20%.
“With a 32/36 cassette, that was definitely not the best choice,” admitted Lorris after laboriously climbing the col. For many, this climb was a true test of willpower.
Roland, an experienced cyclist who came to cheer on the participants, summed up the challenge of Grand Colombier:
“Getting up this hill is truly something incredible. I’ve climbed a lot of cols, but this one is unique. You could almost say you’d need horseshoes for the bikes!” he joked, humming La Bohème.
For some, the effort was so intense that they had to finish the ascent on foot.
“It’s simple: whether you’re on the bike or on foot, you move at the same speed. When you don’t have the right gear for climbing, you have to walk,” admitted one cyclist who had to dismount on the steepest sections.
A breathtaking landscape before the final stretch
At the summit of Grand Colombier, the view was spectacular. Cyclists enjoyed an unobstructed view of Lake Bourget as they prepared to descend toward the Vercors Regional Natural Park, where the race’s final challenges awaited. The upcoming trilogy of Chartreuse promised a conclusion as demanding as it was awe-inspiring.
“It’s beautiful here. But now, it’s on to the Vercors, and I know it’s going to be tough,” said one cyclist, resting at the summit of the col.
Meanwhile, participants further back in the peloton struggled to reach checkpoint 2 before nightfall. Among them was Thierry Rivaud, pacing himself to avoid burning out prematurely.
“A short nap, then a good descent toward history. After that, pizza and noodles to refuel. The goal: ride all night to reach CP2 by tomorrow afternoon and have two days left to finish,” he explained pragmatically.
A decisive second night
As night fell, participants still on the course braced for another difficult night. It would be a crucial night in determining the final ranking of BikingMan Aura 2023.
In the provisional standings, Émilien Mottet maintained a comfortable lead, several dozen kilometers ahead of his main chasers, Antoine Dumont and Jeremy Allinger. The top 10 seemed on track to reach the finish line at Beaumont-lès-Valence within the next few hours, but the race was far from over.
Conclusion of the day
This second day of racing was marked by moments of bravery, unexpected withdrawals, and monumental climbs. Grand Colombier tested the resilience of the cyclists, and despite the challenges, Émilien Mottet continued to dominate the race. The cyclists now prepared for another night, where the cold and fatigue could yet change the standings.
BikingMan Aura 2023 continues to prove itself a true test of physical and mental endurance. With climbs like Grand Colombier and freezing nights, the cyclists must show resilience to reach the finish line. The competition is still open, and the upcoming hours promise to be decisive.
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