BikingMan Aura 2023 – day 3: Emilien Mottet triumphs after a relentless race

In Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, the third day of BikingMan Aura 2023 delivered intense moments and unwavering determination from the participants. The undisputed leader, Emilien Mottet, continued his momentum after a second consecutive night without sleep. On Wednesday morning at 4:46, after 47 hours and 37 minutes of intense racing, Emilien completed the 1000 km course and claimed a well-deserved victory.

Emilien Mottet: a flawless race

Emilien Mottet, 28, managed this event with impressive mastery. From the start, he employed a simple yet effective strategy: push hard to gain an early lead and focus solely on his own race.

“Everything went as planned; the strategy worked like clockwork,” he shared upon arrival.

He explained that his goal was to distance himself from the others to avoid being influenced by their pace, and this tactic clearly paid off. Despite the accumulated fatigue, he stayed focused and managed to maintain a steady rhythm throughout the race.

“I must have been chased, but I just kept going at my own pace,” he said humbly, savoring his victory after a race free of major errors.

The complete podium: a battle for honor

Nearly two hours after Emilien’s arrival, his chasers also crossed the finish line, completing the podium for BikingMan Aura 2023. The second place went to Antoine Dumont, who knew he was far behind Emilien but gave his all to secure his position.

“The leader was untouchable, but I fought hard for second place, and that feels good,” Antoine shared, pleased with his effort.

The third place finisher, Jérémy Allinger, reflected on his doubts at the start of the race.

“At first, I wasn’t too focused; I was just riding my race. But when I saw I was in the top 10 at CP1, I thought, ‘Let’s see how far I can go.’ I shortened my breaks, and it paid off!” he said with a smile.

Mixed emotions for the top 10

Throughout the morning, the top 10 riders arrived one by one in Beaumont-lès-Valence, marked by their efforts but pleased with their performances.

“There’s a bit of disappointment about not finishing higher, but you don’t do these kinds of courses for the ranking. An ultra is, above all, a race against yourself,” said Guillaume Peyronnet, philosophically accepting the challenge.

The stories from the finish line were filled with moments of doubt and personal satisfaction. Some recalled the difficult moments, while others remembered euphoric nights when “nothing could go wrong,” as one participant put it.

“This is my fifth BikingMan, but this one gives me a special pride,” admitted another cyclist, who overcame numerous challenges, including persistent knee pain.

The final battles in the Vercors

While the podium was being decided at the front, another group of ultra-cyclists continued to battle through the final 50 kilometers. The Vercors, with its steep climbs, presented a last challenge before the finish.

“This is the last climb; we’re really happy,” shared one participant mid-ascent. Col de la Machine, known for its winding turns and steep inclines, tested the riders, but the promise of reaching Beaumont-lès-Valence kept them going.

“I enjoyed every bit; it was magnificent,” said Florent Dumas, visibly delighted with his journey across the three mountain ranges traversed during the event: the Massif Central, the Jura, and the Alps. This feeling of satisfaction was shared by many participants, despite the overwhelming fatigue.

“You can smell the stables – and the Pietra, that Corsican chestnut beer; that’s what’s keeping me moving!” joked another cyclist as he climbed toward Col de la Bataille.

The final climbs: Machine, Bataille, and les Mouches

For some, the end of the race was still a challenge, with the final series of climbs, dubbed the “double trilogy,” ahead. These last three ascents, passing through the remarkable Combe Laval, tested the riders’ endurance after nearly 1000 km of effort.

In the late afternoon, at kilometer 937, some cyclists paused in Pont-en-Royans to refuel and cool down. François Olivier, for instance, had his own technique for coping with the intense heat:

“I’ll show you how to handle the heat – I recommend it to everyone!” he said, sitting down in the water.

For others, the fatigue was becoming a serious concern.

“The legs, the backside, the knee… it’s a bit tough, but we’ll manage,” admitted one participant, determined to make it to the finish.

The finish line: a long-awaited moment

In Beaumont-lès-Valence, participants continued to arrive throughout the day. Each had a story to tell, a personal challenge to celebrate. The last third of the riders were still on the road, tackling the Grand Colombier or resting at checkpoint 2 before taking on the final kilometers.

“We’re heading through Porte, then down Colombier, and we’ll see where we stop. We’ve seen more cows than people; I think that’s the beauty of it,” said Jean-Philippe Martin, a cyclist taking things at his own pace, savoring every moment.

This third day of BikingMan Aura 2023 was marked by impressive performances, particularly by Emilien Mottet, the undisputed winner. With finishers arriving throughout the day and another night full of emotions ahead, the cyclists continued to face the challenges of this exceptional event. The top 20 is now complete, and we await the last finishers still on the course. The stories of each rider reflect the beauty and difficulty of this journey through Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.

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