The grueling ascent of Col de la Bonette
The day opens with the ascent of the formidable Col de la Bonette, a relentless 23-km climb reaching 2715 meters in altitude, making it one of the most challenging stages on the course. Laurianne Plaçais, still leading, begins the climb at 8:40 p.m., maintaining a solid advantage. However, the champion struggles with various pains, particularly due to an uncomfortable position on the saddle. Both physically and mentally drained, she presses on, driven by the goal ahead.
Upon reaching the summit, Laurianne shares her thoughts:
“I try to push through the pain, but when I get to the top, I remember why I do this. It’s for that feeling of accomplishment, to remind myself why I endure so much.”
Night strategies and the race for the podium
While Laurianne clings to her lead, her pursuers—Maximilien Couvreur, Lionel Castagnet, and others—gradually approach checkpoint 2. Maximilien, several kilometers behind, keeps a close eye on the gap, remaining vigilant throughout the night. In the following ranks, the fight for the podium is fierce, with competitors like Philippe Coucy and Joshua Bussy also choosing strategic rest breaks to ensure strong performance.
Some, like Lionel Castagnet, opt for calculated pauses:
“We’re going to sleep for an hour this time, a bit more than the half-hour yesterday. If it works, great; if not, we’ll adapt. With the guys, we’re all together here, so we’re going for the podium.”
An unexpected storm: a tense summit
At 4:30 a.m., Lionel Castagnet reaches the summit of Bonette, now solidly in third place. He’s greeted by a breathtaking yet frightening sight: an intense storm brewing nearby. In the stillness and darkness, the atmosphere is charged with tension. Confronted by this sudden challenge, Lionel remarks:
“It’s terrifying and beautiful at the same time… but I’m not taking any unnecessary risks.”
He cautiously begins the descent, struggling to stay awake as he navigates the road with fatigue setting in.
Laurianne Plaçais: a victory won through pain
At daybreak, Laurianne has managed to not only maintain but extend her lead over Maximilien. As she reaches the final kilometers, her pain intensifies to an almost unbearable level. After 52 hours and 12 minutes since the start, she crosses the finish line, exhausted yet triumphant. Reflecting on her journey, she shares:
“I suffered so much… the saddle was killing me; I had to change positions constantly, and it hurt everywhere—my back, my knees. I only stopped to keep moving faster.”
Her performance secures her the top spot in the overall BikingMan 2023 championship, adding a second title to her achievements after winning the BikingMan X the previous year.
Maximilien Couvreur: a well-earned second place
Five hours later, Maximilien crosses the finish line in 57 hours and 22 minutes. Exhausted but content, he embraces his second place:
“This is progress for me after Portugal and Corsica. Laurianne was stronger, no doubt. I’m happy to have finished and to have tackled that mountain. It’s never easy to come in second, but I take it as a lesson, and it’s an honor.”
Noël Barreca: a winning strategy
Thanks to his extended rest strategy at checkpoint 2, Noël Barreca manages to make up for lost time and secures the third spot on the podium. His approach proves successful for this tenacious cyclist, who shares his joy and surprise:
“At first, I was aiming for a top 20, then maybe top 10. I never thought I’d make the top 3. Laurianne and Maximilien were out of reach, but this third place is a huge achievement.”
Pursuers and challenges: between disappointment and satisfaction
Behind the top three, the next arrivals experience mixed feelings of satisfaction and mild disappointment. Some come close to the podium, while others are simply striving to stay in the top 10. Lionel Castagnet, who held third place for a significant portion of the race, eventually falls behind but remains positive:
“I was competing for the podium and gave it my all. That’s satisfying in itself.”
Race challenges and camaraderie among participants
As the majority of participants continue on, some still find themselves halfway through, battling technical issues or accumulated fatigue. Amélie Plennevaux, approaching checkpoint 2 after climbing through the dawn’s cool air, delights in the unique experience:
“Climbing Ventoux in the dark and reaching the top at sunrise was magical. We’re making progress bit by bit.”
On the final stretch to checkpoint 2, Alexandre Besenval faces an unexpected mechanical issue with a broken chain. Fortunately, the camaraderie among participants allows him to resume after a few minutes, continuing toward Vars.
Laurianne Plaçais takes the lead in the overall standings
With her victory in BikingMan France 2023, Laurianne Plaçais secures the lead in the general standings, ahead of Maximilien Couvreur. This race in France tested bodies and minds alike, yet perseverance and mutual support among cyclists remain strong, each stage a testament to the endurance and passion for ultra-distance that unites all competitors.
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