On the third day of the BikingMan Portugal 2023, athletes faced an intense and exhausting race under the sweltering Algarve heat, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. This 1,000 km route, marked by steep climbs and arid landscapes, continued to test the physical and mental limits of the ultra-cyclists. For Sébastien Bouchet, these challenges seemed to serve as added motivation.
Sébastien Bouchet, first finisher: “I’m happy to finish; the rest is a bonus”
Sébastien Bouchet maintained his dominance in the race. After countless kilometers of climbing and maintaining an impressive pace of 24 km/h, he arrived in Faro just after nightfall, completing the 1,000 km in 40 hours and 45 minutes. Despite suffering from heat exhaustion earlier in the day, he held onto his lead.
“I’m happy to finish BikingMan; winning wasn’t my initial goal,” said Sébastien, still surprised by his performance under such challenging conditions. “The morning heat exhaustion in the supermarket slowed me down, but everything went well in the end,” he added.
He also credited the mental endurance he developed in previous races: “You develop unexpected skills in events like these.”
Rémi Borrion: “It was beyond challenging for me today”
About an hour after Sébastien, Rémi Borrion also crossed the finish line. Visibly exhausted, he described the conditions as “horrible,” citing the heat and constant wind as relentless adversaries.
“I’m destroyed; the wind and heat were unbearable,” he admitted.
“I wanted to win, but Sébastien was incredible today, leaving me two hours behind,” he said, with a touch of disappointment.
Nonetheless, Rémi expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing that his race management was exemplary, enabling him to remain in the lead group.
Maxime Prieur secures third place: “The endless climbs wore me out”
Shortly after, Maxime Prieur finished third. Although he maintained a steady pace, the successive climbs at the end of the course took their toll:
“The repeated ascents were extremely tough, especially toward the end,” he explained.
“Even though I kept a good pace, it really drained me.”
His consistency throughout the race earned him a spot on the podium, a performance he said he was very proud of.
Laurianne Plaçais, first female finisher: “An emotional rollercoaster”
Securing a solid fourth place, Laurianne Plaçais was the first woman to cross the finish line after 43 hours and 49 minutes of racing. Torn between pride and exhaustion, she described the emotional highs and lows she experienced during the race:
“During the day, I feel an incredible sense of freedom on my bike, but nighttime is a constant struggle.”
Surprised by her strong finish, she remarked on how she hadn’t expected to rank so highly “given the competition.” Exhausted but pleased, she concluded:
“I’ve never finished a BikingMan this drained.”
Benoît Merchez completes the top 5: “Mission accomplished”
Benoît Merchez rounded out the top five. Achieving his goal of finishing in the top five, he expressed satisfaction with his performance:
“My mission was to make the top five. Considering the level of competition this year, it’s a success.”
Aware of the stiff competition, he acknowledged that winning seemed nearly impossible, “given the impressive list of favorites.”
Cascading arrivals for the top 10
By Wednesday morning, the rest of the top 10 had crossed the finish line. Cédric Sachet and Gwenaël Pagot, the first pair to finish the race, completed the course after several hours of strategic collaboration. These duos face a unique challenge: maintaining a consistent pace as a team while managing each other’s weaknesses.
“Teamwork is crucial to staying united,” explained Gwenaël.
The fight to reach checkpoint 2
Not all cyclists had yet made it to Faro. For some, the finish line remained a distant goal, with a crucial checkpoint still ahead: CP2 in Vila Viçosa, located at kilometer 667. For the final racers, this intermediate stage became a battle against headwinds and mounting fatigue.
David, one of the backmarkers, highlighted the intense heat and the struggle to keep moving:
“I mark every place to stop—supermarkets and cafés—where we can take a breather,” he shared, noting the serendipitous encounters with fellow cyclists along the way.
These breaks also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and offer mutual support.
Frédéric Le Gall: injured but determined to continue
Meanwhile, Frédéric Le Gall suffered an incident that jeopardized his progress. During a moment of relaxation, he lost control and crashed on the roadside, damaging two tires and sustaining injuries.
“I was stretching a bit, veered off, and then took a tumble,” he recounted with a smile despite his pain.
With his tires punctured, he searched desperately for a repair shop to continue.
“I rarely get flats, and then two tires at once,” he said, incredulously.
The Algarve heat: a challenge for the final kilometers
By afternoon, temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius. The final stage of the race, marked by relentless climbs, seemed never-ending. Felipe Ferreira, a BikingMan novice, was determined not to quit, even as the heat and inclines forced him to walk parts of the route.
“I could keep riding, but I want to conserve my strength,” he said, keeping his ultimate goal in mind.
Arriving in Faro: participants energized by the end-of-race atmosphere
Many participants, though far behind the leaders, felt a surge of energy as they approached Faro. For some, the aroma of the famous *pastéis de nata* acted as motivation for the final kilometers.
“I was exhausted, but I regained my energy just thinking about reaching the city,” said one cyclist.
Emotions ranged from fatigue to relief and satisfaction. For many, the BikingMan is as much a human adventure as a physical challenge. Cyclists highlighted the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of motivation in such a demanding race.
“The body is an incredible machine; you think you’ve hit your limits, but you find hidden reserves,” remarked one participant, still amazed by his own endurance.
Final stops before the finish line
For others, the race remained a battle to the very end. Dino Ablum, a former Portuguese goalkeeper, took a well-deserved break before completing the course, visibly exhausted but determined to finish.
“One last effort, and I’m there,” he murmured, thinking of his family waiting for him in Faro.
In conclusion, this third day of the BikingMan Portugal 2023 showcased the unwavering determination of these cyclists in the face of harsh elements and exhaustion. The stifling heat, challenging climbs, and numerous incidents couldn’t deter their will to reach Faro. Their stories encapsulate the essence of this race: to push boundaries and finish, no matter the cost, savoring the satisfaction of conquering one of the world’s most grueling events.
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