The third and final day of BikingMan X Morocco 2023 was filled with fierce battles for the podium. After grueling climbs, dizzying descents, and mounting fatigue, cyclists approached the finish line in Marrakech, ready to give it their all for a podium spot. Let’s look back at this thrilling day that crowned the champions of this ultracycling event.
A grueling night and the battle for second place (11:10 pm – 10:00 am)
The night from Tuesday to Wednesday was the stage for an intense battle between Laurianne Plaçais and Florent Dumas for second place. At 11:10 pm, Laurianne arrived at Checkpoint 3 in Bin El Ouidane (km 785), visibly worn from the altitude but satisfied with her progress. She shared:
“Feeling better than this morning. This morning, I wasn’t doing well… maybe the altitude, we were at 2,000 meters, and I was really struggling. I was wondering how I’d finish.”
Ten minutes later, Florent Dumas reached the checkpoint as well. Tired, he decided to rest a bit before continuing:
“I’ll sleep a bit, take care of my legs, and that’s it.”
With strategies tightening, every minute of rest counted to endure until the end of the race.
Dawn over the Atlas Mountains (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
As the sun lit up the third day of the race, cyclists further back, particularly a group at Boumalne Dadès (km 495), shared their experiences. After spending the night at Checkpoint 2, they enjoyed a good breakfast before tackling a pass at 2,900 meters.
One participant shared his experience:
“We camped out up there, had an amazing tagine at 2,100 meters, which was pure bliss before getting a good sleep.”
Meanwhile, Philippe Paayer, who had endured a difficult night, recounted his adventure:
“I set out at 2 am, tackled the big pass, then caught a chill on the descent. I had to layer up and wrap myself up, then exhaustion hit hard. I pulled out my emergency bivy and slept on the roadside for half an hour. As the sun rose and the warmth returned, I felt recharged and set off again.”
Maxime Prieur’s victory (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
Around midday, excitement peaked in Marrakech. Maxime Prieur crossed the finish line after more than 1,000 km in 55 hours and 16 minutes, winning his first BikingMan. Happy but slightly frustrated, Maxime shared his thoughts:
“Super happy, but also a little frustrated because there were two or three places I’d spotted on the map that I crossed in the middle of the night. I took in so much of the scenery, the route, meeting local people… it’s a shock. We’re not used to this kind of life; there’s such a big difference between life in France and here in Morocco.”
This victory also earned him a spot on the season’s overall podium, an achievement he’s very proud of.
Laurianne Plaçais, the first female BikingMan world champion (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Almost two hours after Maxime, Laurianne Plaçais crossed the finish line in Marrakech, taking second place in 56 hours and 59 minutes. This achievement made her the first woman to win the BikingMan World Championship. Emotionally moved, she shared her feelings:
“I’m happy. I really enjoyed it; the race was an emotional rollercoaster, but at the finish, I could’ve done another lap. It’s a very different experience from all the other BikingMan races. There’s an immersion in the country, seeing the daily life of the people, not just observing from a distance.”
This was her fourth BikingMan this year, a challenge she had set for herself two years ago. She expressed her sense of purpose and satisfaction at reaching her goal:
“I really wanted a comeback. I built my entire season around this. Doing four in seven months is pretty demanding, especially with work and taking care of my daughter. I can’t stand failure; I don’t care about winning, but I can’t stand not finishing.”
Florent Dumas’ impressive comeback (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
Florent Dumas completed the podium in third place, after an impressive jump of 18 places since Checkpoint 1. Emotional and satisfied with his performance, he shared:
“Honestly, Gravel isn’t really my specialty, and I hadn’t trained much these last two months. But it was a great race, a blast. I had some doubts about my bike, but it held up wonderfully.”
The final stretch and the finish (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
As the top three celebrated their victory, other cyclists continued their journey to Marrakech. At the summit of Tizi N’Ouano at 2,895 meters, Laurent was advancing slowly, exhausted but determined to finish:
“I just want to get over this and sleep at the bottom. Either exhaustion will get me, or I’ll collapse by the end.”
The Moulay Youssef Dam, a significant landmark less than 80 km from the finish, offered an exceptional panorama at sunset. The last kilometers were tough, but the finish line was finally in sight.
Meanwhile, Jeff Kerkov and Christian Orema crossed the finish line, completing the top 5. Christian recounted his struggles on the last big mountain:
“In the last big mountain, really steep, I got lost for an hour because of a faulty GPS.”
Day 3 of BikingMan X Morocco 2023 wrapped up this incredible adventure. Maxime Prieur took the win, followed by Laurianne Plaçais, who fulfilled her dream of becoming the first female BikingMan World Champion. Florent Dumas completed the podium after an exemplary race.
The sun set over the Atlas, leaving 71 participants scattered along the course, with only two days left to reach the finish line in Marrakech. This BikingMan X Morocco was an awe-inspiring display of endurance, strategy, and willpower. Each rider has their own story, proving that ultracycling is far more than just a sport; it’s a personal challenge and an unforgettable human adventure.
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