The fourth day of BikingMan Euskadi 2023 marked the end of the adventure for several participants, while also bringing intense moments for those still in the race. With Sébastien Pailly and Laurianne Plaçais already securing the top two positions, the rest of the field focused on the ultimate goal: crossing the finish line. Ronan Lesueur and Rémi Borrion completed the top 5, while Valentin van Overloop and other cyclists continued battling the elements to finish this grueling event.
Ronan Lesueur takes fourth place
At 1:18 a.m., to the applause in Anglet, Ronan Lesueur crossed the finish line to take fourth place in this BikingMan Euskadi. After 68 hours and 16 minutes of effort, he fully enjoyed the moment, aware that his performance exceeded his expectations.
“Really happy because I didn’t think I’d get this place, especially since, just four hours ago, I was thinking of giving up,” shared Ronan, exhausted but happy. “I’m glad I pushed beyond my limits, especially since Valentin had a mechanical issue, and Rémi had a leg cramp.”
Rémi Borrion: redemption after last year’s withdrawal
An hour later, Rémi Borrion completed his journey. After being forced to withdraw last year, Rémi successfully achieved a top 5 finish this time, marking his fourth completion out of five BikingMan events.
“I really didn’t want to give up again. I had to dig deep to secure this spot. It was really tough, tougher than some of my past victories,” he said, relieved to have finished. “The enjoyment? I found it in the beautiful landscapes, but the problem was you had to climb first to see them,” he joked, reflecting on the race’s physical demands. “When you’re not motivated, you just suffer. Trust me on that.”
Cédric battles fatigue on the Tourmalet
Meanwhile, further back, some participants were still tackling the Pyrenees, notably the daunting Col du Tourmalet, located about 350 kilometers from the finish line. Cédric, one of the riders, entered survival mode, moving slowly toward the summit.
“I left without breakfast this morning, not feeling great, my stomach is growling,” said Cédric, visibly affected by the intense effort and lack of food. “I’ve got sausages in my bag, but I didn’t feel like eating… Maybe later,” he chuckled despite the fatigue.
Valentin van Overloop: heat and mechanical issues
Fifty kilometers from the finish, Valentin van Overloop continued to struggle against the heat and the course’s final challenges. Initially in a position to finish fourth, he was delayed by a mechanical problem on Wednesday evening.
“I had a front brake issue; my pads were stuck to the disc, I couldn’t move forward,” explained Valentin, frustrated by the setback. After finding a mechanic in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, he managed to continue with the help of some WD40 applied overnight. “Thankfully, it worked. Now, I’m looking forward to ice cream!” he said, trying to keep his spirits high.
At 3 p.m. that afternoon, Valentin finally completed his BikingMan Euskadi in 89 hours and 53 minutes. Despite the satisfaction of finishing, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed about missing out on fourth place.
“I saw that the guys ahead weren’t going very fast. It’s a bit frustrating,” he admitted. “But overall, I’m happy. It’s an extreme route, with climbs coming at you fast. There’s not much respite. It’s hot, and it’s tough to stay fueled.”
The Labays pass: a crushing challenge for the remaining cyclists
Several participants were still on the Basque roads, especially in the formidable Col de Labays at kilometer 780. Under the blazing heat, a small group reached the 1,354-meter summit after an exhausting ascent.
“I’m moving slowly, but I’m moving,” commented one cyclist, visibly worn out. “The plan for tonight? None, just to make it in one piece. I don’t think I’ll finish tonight; it’ll probably be tomorrow.”
For these cyclists, every pedal stroke was a real challenge as they slowly but surely approached the finish line.
The first pair completes the race
At 8:30 p.m., the first pair also crossed the finish line in Anglet. Robin and Jean-Paul completed their journey in 87 hours and 26 minutes, visibly moved. For them, the main goal was to stay consistent throughout the race.
“We chose to sleep at night and stay in good shape each day,” explained Robin. “In the end, it worked for us, and it’s a true joy to finish.”
Aymeric: euphoric at the finish
Half an hour later, Aymeric arrived, euphoric after his journey.
“I made it, totally spaced out,” he laughed. “At one point, my mom came to give me a hug, and I didn’t even realize it was her!”
He recounted how he went through every emotion during the race’s few days.
“At the start, it was panic; I thought I’d never make it. Then, gradually, I started to gain confidence. You meet people, you chat, you go through hard times, but also some incredible moments,” he said, clearly thrilled by the experience.
“At one point, I even had to get off my bike in a climb, thinking the mountain had beaten me. But in the end, you make friends, go through so much, and it was an amazing experience,” he concluded.
A countdown for the final participants
By the end of this fourth day, fewer than 20 participants had crossed the finish line. With a countdown underway to finish on time by Saturday morning at 5 a.m., 28 participants remained on the BikingMan Euskadi course. Every pedal stroke, every climb was now a race against time to complete this exhausting challenge.
This fourth day of BikingMan Euskadi 2023 highlighted the resilience of the participants, with joyous finishes for some and intense efforts from those still on the road. The legendary Pyrenean passes and the race’s challenges once again tested the athletes’ limits, while also offering them unforgettable moments.
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