BikingMan Euskadi 2023 kicked off in Anglet, in southwestern France, hosting the fifth stage of this season’s ultracycling championship. With 67 participants at the start, each faced a major challenge: covering 1000 km in a maximum of 120 hours, with an impressive elevation gain of 23,000 meters. This course is the most demanding of the season in terms of climbing, featuring two strategic checkpoints: the first at Chalet d’Iraty, at 240 km, and the second in Campan, after 621 km, right before the famous Tourmalet climb.
Tension rises before the start
On Monday morning, just moments before the start, excitement filled the air. Cyclists were getting their GPS trackers, having their equipment inspected, bikes weighed, and receiving their final briefing. Each athlete managed the stress in their own way. Some were experienced, while others were participating for the first time. Among them, one story stood out: an athlete who had survived a motorcycle accident in August 2020.
“Hit by a car, I lost my right leg,” he shared. “I wasn’t cycling back then, but I discovered it during my rehab. Today, I’m here, starting my first BikingMan. It’s incredible!”
Other competitors handled their nerves in a more technical manner, like Laurianne Plaçais, who encountered a mishap with her equipment:
“I ripped the cables on my lamp sockets, but fortunately, a Race Angel helped me fix it. I couldn’t imagine riding all night with just my headlamp. I need lots of light to avoid falling asleep.”
Guillaume Ombratieu admitted, “I was very stressed last week, but oddly enough, I’m quite calm now.” Philippe Coussy added, “Last week, I was anxious, but since Friday, I’ve felt more confident. Endurance is my area, though I’m a little nervous about the difficulty after Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.”
A tense start at 5 a.m.
At 5 a.m., the cyclists set off into the Basque wilderness. After just a few dozen kilometers, the first mountain passes rose before them, plunging the competitors into the heart of wild nature. The first strategic stop for refueling was at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, at kilometer 176. This was the last chance for participants to recharge before tackling the Arnostéguy pass, an 18 km climb with slopes reaching 17%.
The Arnostéguy pass climb: a real challenge
“I’d mentally prepared myself for it to be hard, but not this hard!” exclaimed Valentin. “It’s long, it’s steep, sometimes it’s better to walk than to wreck your legs on the bike.”
Another participant, Arnaud, echoed this feeling:
“The first 170 kilometers were relatively easy, but now you understand why it’s called the BikingMan Euskadi.”
The climb up Arnostéguy was a daunting test, but one rewarded by an exceptional view. At the 200 km mark, cyclists reached the summit, where they could enjoy an unobstructed view of the Basque landscape.
“It’s steep, really steep, but it’s worth it!” shared a cyclist. “It’s 10 degrees cooler than last year, and with the fresh breeze, it’s almost pleasant.”
Checkpoint 1: Chalet d’Iraty
By early afternoon, participants were nearing checkpoint 1, located at the Chalets d’Iraty, after 240 km. The climb up the Errozate pass, just before reaching this checkpoint, added another difficulty with slopes reaching 20%. Some cyclists, like Sébastien, seemed unfazed:
“It’s tough, especially after 200 kilometers, but I’m managing well. I’m preparing for what’s ahead.”
Others took the opportunity to rest under the shade of trees, enjoying a well-deserved break before resuming the journey.
“It’s going to be a long day…” joked Laurent Garbolino, before adding, “There’s still a lot left to do, but look, it’s beautiful here.”
Up front, a battle was brewing between Sébastien Pailly and Laurianne Plaçais. Sébastien reached the first checkpoint after 11 hours and 17 minutes of racing.
“For now, I’m sticking to my pace. We’ll tally the results on the last stretch. I’d like to sleep in Argelès, but we’ll see how I feel,” he said while refueling.
Laurianne arrived 25 minutes later, tired but content.
“I settled into my rhythm, often found myself alone, and actually, it’s pretty convenient for not getting too carried away,” she said, smiling. Despite the difficulty, she remained positive: “It’s always just as tough, even though I know the course. Every time, you remember the pain, but that’s the beauty of this race.”
Withdrawals and injuries
Unfortunately, not everyone was as fortunate. Sébastien Chabanne, who suffered a fall just a few kilometers before the checkpoint, had to withdraw.
“I slipped on a puddle and fell,” he explained, visibly disappointed.
Despite a break and medical attention, the pain in his thigh was too intense. This marked the second consecutive year he was forced to leave the race prematurely.
A first day ends with slight gaps
The first day of BikingMan Euskadi 2023 concluded with minimal gaps between the podium contenders. Sébastien Pailly led the race, followed by Laurianne Plaçais and Laurent Garbolino. For these athletes, the night ahead promised hours of uninterrupted pedaling to maintain their position in the race.
At the back of the pack, other athletes focused more on the experience than the competition.
“It’s worth the struggle, truly,” exclaimed one participant.
Another added, “I’ll try to ride as much as possible tonight; it’ll be cooler, so it’ll be better.”
Night fell over the Basque Country, but for these brave cyclists, the road was still long, and the challenges had only just begun.
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