The third day of BikingMan Euskadi 2023 brought intense emotions, challenges, and unforgettable moments for the participants. Sébastien Pailly solidified his dominance, crossing the finish line after 55 hours and 45 minutes to claim victory. Laurianne Plaçais, despite facing difficulties, secured her second place and took the lead in the season’s general ranking. Here is a detailed summary of this epic day.
A decisive night: Sébastien Pailly extends his lead
From the start of the second night, Sébastien Pailly continued to assert his leadership, widening the gap with Laurianne Plaçais. By 6 a.m., he had a comfortable 30-kilometer lead over his closest competitor. Although Laurianne didn’t try to close the gap, she focused on managing her effort.
“I’m not trying to catch up with him because he’s going too fast. No, I’m fine where I am, it suits me well,” said Laurianne Plaçais, aware of her limits due to accumulated fatigue and some minor discomforts. “I have a metallic taste in my mouth, so everything I eat is… let’s just say it’s not very pleasant,” she added jokingly.
Despite these annoyances, she pressed on steadily, even stopping at a cemetery to refill her water supply and eat a meal she had been carrying for some time.
Sébastien Pailly: a well-managed race to the end
Meanwhile, Sébastien Pailly continued at a swift pace. About 100 kilometers from the finish line, he took a brief respite on the Colifa lazy, a dreaded ascent, to rest.
“Today, I stopped for three-quarters of an hour to sleep, but it was just for comfort. I have a good lead, so I’m really enjoying the race,” he shared, appearing relaxed despite the day’s challenges.
He also noted that the night had been colder and more humid than the previous one, making his progress a bit tougher.
“It was a little harder this night, but now that the sun is out, it’s great,” he added with a smile.
Battling for the top 5: between challenges and determination
While Sébastien Pailly held a comfortable lead, the battle for the remaining top positions was intense. After the challenging Tourmalet pass, the lead participants continued to tackle famous climbs like the Soulor and Aubisque. Around noon, they faced the Marie Blanque pass, with slopes reaching 12% – a true test for their already fatigued bodies.
Ronan, one of the competitors, felt every kilometer in his muscles.
“I’m hurting all over – joints, muscles… it’s just a matter of managing now,” he said, visibly exhausted but determined to keep going.
Just ahead of him, Valentin van Overloop was confronting the Labays pass.
“My feet hurt from the pressure, and my knees are starting to creak,” he said, taking a shaded break to avoid overheating under the blazing sun.
Despite everything, he kept up his spirits and humor as he continued climbing toward the summit.
The Labays pass: a formidable test for the participants
At 1,354 meters above sea level, the Labays pass is one of the most challenging sections of BikingMan Euskadi, a feared and admired obstacle. For some, like Valentin, it was a challenge to face at all costs, despite the intense afternoon heat.
“We’re roasting, but it’ll pass,” he remarked, carefully managing the ascent.
The lush greenery and shaded forest areas provided a welcome relief, but it wasn’t enough to erase the accumulated fatigue.
Meanwhile, Rémi Borrion, also climbing the pass, encountered technical issues.
“I got a flat tire right after CP2, and the only bike shop is unexpectedly closed today,” he shared, frustrated but determined to press on. He still had over 150 kilometers to cover before reaching the finish line.
Victory for Sébastien Pailly
In Anglet, near 1 p.m., Sébastien Pailly crossed the finish line, crowned the winner of BikingMan Euskadi 2023 after 55 hours and 45 minutes of effort.
“It was super interesting, and for me, it was a chance to discover this race format, which I didn’t know at all. I had many questions, and now I have a lot of answers,” he said, contentedly.
He also mentioned how much he enjoyed traversing Spain, a territory familiar to him, and the variety of landscapes encountered along the way.
Laurianne Plaçais: a second-place finish with added value
Nearly four hours after Sébastien, Laurianne Plaçais crossed the finish line. As she had done the previous year, she finished in second place – a result that was even more valuable this time, as it propelled her to the top of the season’s general ranking.
“I’m really happy with the result. It was a tough race, but I’m satisfied with my performance,” she said, exhausted but smiling.
Her consistency and tenacity throughout the season helped her reach this crucial goal.
Laurent Garbolino secures third place
Third place seemed destined for Laurent Garbolino, who, by 6 p.m., was only 80 kilometers from the finish line. Completely out of reach of his pursuers, he knew victory was within his grasp.
“Today was brutal; I really baked under the heat,” he laughed, adding that he was looking forward to finishing and enjoying a well-deserved beer. Despite the fatigue, he kept a fighting spirit, determined to complete what he described as “one of the toughest challenges he’s ever faced.”
Shifting rankings
At the end of this third day, the BikingMan Euskadi 2023 rankings saw a shake-up. Sébastien Pailly claimed victory, while Laurianne Plaçais, with her second-place finish, took the lead in the season’s general ranking. Laurent Garbolino rounded out the podium.
Of the 63 participants who started, 42 were still in the race by the day’s end. Once again, BikingMan Euskadi proved its difficulty and beauty, offering athletes an unforgettable adventure through the legendary Pyrenean passes.
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