Welcome to the second day of BikingMan Sri Lanka 2024, the flagship event of the World Ultra-Cycling Championship. After a challenging start, the 50 participants continue to tackle the 1,000 km route across Sri Lanka’s breathtaking landscapes. Today finds us in Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England” for its cool climate and vast tea plantations. It’s here, in the heart of this iconic region, that Checkpoint 2 of this extreme endurance race is located.
End of Day 1 recap: Late night arrival at checkpoint 1
We last left the participants at the end of Day 1 at Checkpoint 1 in Sigiriya, where the leaders were among the first to arrive. Many faced tough conditions, particularly the sweltering heat that defined the beginning of the race. Laurianne Plaçais shares:
“I was close to overheating at the start; I started feeling chills and goosebumps. Then, I bought a bottle of water, poured it over my head and neck, and I felt better.”
Despite these challenges, the leaders pushed forward, adjusting to the cooler night temperatures.
The chasers also reached Sigiriya later that night, encountering a few surprises. In addition to the intense heat, they had to deal with aggressive stray dogs.
“The dogs in the last stretch were really something, they’re everywhere, every 50 meters, so you have to sprint because they chase you,” one cyclist exclaimed.
Others shared unexpected encounters with local wildlife, including a participant who came face-to-face with an elephant just five meters away, making this first night unforgettable.
The climb to Riverstone: challenges amidst spectacular scenery
With sunrise, the leaders embarked on the climb toward Riverstone, a renowned location for its stunning landscapes and hiking trails. For the ultracyclists, however, this majestic mountain park proved to be an intense ordeal. Axel Carion, the founder of BikingMan races, joined them on this stretch and emphasized the climb’s difficulty.
“I’m currently in one of the major challenges of this BikingMan Sri Lanka, the Riverstone climb in the country’s central mountain range. This pass will really test the participants,” he explained.
This particularly tough ascent tested the riders’ endurance. One cyclist shared the challenge of staying motivated in such conditions:
“It took me three hours to cover 10 km. I thought I might see other people, but I prayed they wouldn’t catch up to me. I told myself if I got overtaken by anyone, I’d dig a hole and hide in it.”
Despite the heat, exhaustion, and physical pain, the participants pushed on through this demanding terrain.
Gravel roads and steep slopes: a taste of what’s to come
The conditions of the route added further challenges for the cyclists. Beyond the steep incline, the gravel road required both technical skill and physical endurance, turning every kilometer into a true test of resilience.
“The surface is all gravel, with potholes everywhere,” described one participant.
These conditions required mastery and physical resilience, turning every kilometer into a formidable test.
Arrival in Kandy: a historic pause before continuing onward
The riders then moved toward Kandy, an iconic Sri Lankan destination around the 460-km mark. Kandy holds historical, political, and cultural significance, having been the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom before British colonization. It is also home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which houses a revered Buddha’s tooth, making it a sacred place for Sri Lankans.
For the ultracyclists, however, Kandy was just another milestone on their path to Checkpoint 2 in Nuwara Eliya, situated 545 km from the start. A brief stop allowed them to appreciate the city’s beauty while remaining focused on their ultimate goal.
The battle for the lead: Guillaume De Spoelberch takes charge
During this second day, three ultracyclists have clearly broken away from the pack. Leading the charge is Guillaume De Spoelberch, setting a consistent pace. Close behind, reigning champion Laurianne Plaçais and Italian Christian Oriema are doing their best to stay in the race. The Italian, who made an impressive comeback overnight, recounted his encounter with an elephant:
“I heard a noise to my left and didn’t realize it was an elephant. It tried to charge at me, but I managed to avoid it.”
Despite these challenges, the leading trio managed to reach Checkpoint 2 in Nuwara Eliya. This town, perched at over 1,800 meters in altitude, offered a welcome break for the riders after two exhausting days of racing.
“I think I’ll lie down for an hour or two before heading back out, especially since these are the hottest hours of the day,” shared Guillaume De Spoelberch, visibly drained from climbing Sri Lanka’s longest pass, an 18-km ascent at an 8% incline.
Technical difficulties fail to deter the leaders’ determination
Not everything was smooth for the leaders, though. Laurianne Plaçais encountered a technical issue with her derailleur.
“My cable snapped, and I lost over an hour trying to fix it,” she shared.
Despite this setback, she reached Checkpoint 2, maintaining her place among the leading trio.
Checkpoint 2 at Nuwara Eliya: a brief rest before moving forward
After the grueling climb, the cyclists took a well-deserved short break.
“I had to stop in the pass; I was feeling so bad,” said Laurianne Plaçais, describing the intensity of her effort.
Nuwara Eliya, with its cooler climate, offered a temporary respite, allowing the ultracyclists to recharge before embarking on the next leg of their adventure.
Onward to checkpoint 3 in Tissamaharama
The next stage of the race will take the participants to Checkpoint 3 in Tissamaharama, located at the 732-km mark. The competition is expected to intensify between the top three leaders, who will traverse the southern part of the island near the coast before heading northward toward the finish.
Day 2 provisional standings
At the top of the leaderboard, Guillaume De Spoelberch maintains his lead, followed by Laurianne Plaçais and Christian Auriema. The battle remains fierce, with every kilometer covered in the heat, steep slopes, and gravel roads playing a crucial role.
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