The fourth day of BikingMan X Morocco 2023 marked the end of this epic journey across Morocco’s stunning yet challenging landscapes. For the last finishers, the adventure was coming to an end, but not without leaving an indelible mark of courage, determination, and discovery. This day saw the most determined cyclists push through the final kilometers of the Moroccan Atlas to finally cross the finish line in Marrakech.
The cold night for the last riders (12:00 am – 8:00 am)
In the middle of the night, the last participants braved the silence of the mountains, threading their way through olive trees in an atmosphere as cold as it was serene. Maxime Prieur, the race’s champion, had led the way, and now the ultracyclists followed in his path without stopping. Dimitri Hoebreckx, one of the riders, shared his thoughts:
“Continuing on the bike lets you see places you’d never otherwise visit. I even took a few photos; usually, I never take photos.”
Nicolas Faure, exhausted but happy, added:
“That’s what’s special about this sport: you complain, you hurt, you suffer. But you keep coming back. You come back for the kids on the roadside, the landscapes, the villages you discover. I was battling myself, and giving up would have meant losing to myself… so I won. I fulfilled my goal; I’m happy. That’s it!”
These words remind us that ultracycling isn’t just a physical challenge but also a journey of discovery, where every moment counts.
The extra effort to finish (8:00 am – 10:00 am)
At 8 am, as the sun rose on this fourth day, a small group reached Imilchil after a nighttime descent from Tizi N’Ouano, at an altitude of 2,895 m. The cold was biting, and one cyclist, Bruno Pallierne, shared:
“My feet are freezing, it’s insane. That descent is brutal. I thought reaching the 2,900 m peak would be a relief, but I felt even colder coming down.”
After shedding a few tears and enjoying a well-deserved coffee break, the group regained warmth and courage to keep going. Aline Sievener cheered:
“Okay, after that coffee break, we feel much better now. We fueled up and are ready to burn those calories!”
The final kilometers and the pain of gravel roads (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
While some enjoyed the warmth by Lake Tislit, others headed toward Checkpoint 3. Despite the accumulated fatigue, one cyclist admitted:
“I’m going to put compresses on my saddle sores, it hurts too much. Every time I stop and get going again, it takes a good fifteen minutes for the pain to ease up.”
The gravel roads continued to challenge the cyclists. Some found shelter for the night in inns or with locals, experiencing Moroccan hospitality that softened these challenging moments. Christophe Girard recounted:
“A guy welcomed me in, just a kind soul. He gave me a blanket. I was freezing, really freezing.”
Gaëtan Aubry added:
“That pass this morning was cold, and then a Belgian in shorts passed me, which hurt my morale. But the landscapes have been stunning from the beginning.”
The approach to Marrakech (2:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
Closer to the end of their adventure, some cyclists were within 100 km of Marrakech. The excitement of nearing the finish was tangible, though it was hard not to be overwhelmed by the majestic sights from their journey. One participant shared:
“It’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end and trying to hold on to all these beautiful images. I’ve been so amazed by Morocco’s diverse landscapes.”
The last major section of gravel, a 10 km stretch under 30°C heat, was the final challenge before reaching Demnat. Here, the ultracyclists admired cactus-covered hills, a distinctive feature of the region.
The final efforts and the feeling of pride (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
As the last cyclists neared the finish line, they still had 120 km left to reach Marrakech. William Huron, a tired but determined rider, said:
“There won’t be any surprises on this last stretch. It’s rough, but you get through it. I’m in survival mode, but I’m going to finish, mentally.”
These final efforts took place under the admiring eyes of spectators and organizers, and at the finish line, each participant felt a profound sense of accomplishment.
“Finisher’s feeling? No, a true sense of pride from seeing Morocco in a way I never imagined. It was beautiful, tough, but the people were incredibly welcoming,” Mickael Apter said with a smile.
The final ranking and unexpected achievements
By the end of the day, 33 participants had crossed the finish line, with about thirty more still on the roads of the Moroccan Atlas. Among them, Amadou Kob became the first Moroccan to cross the finish line, placing 14th—a remarkable achievement.
Patrick Lernout also made an incredible comeback from Checkpoint 2, climbing 37 positions to finish 22nd in the race, describing his experience as “a treat in suffering…”
The fourth day of BikingMan X Morocco 2023 was the ultimate test of endurance and perseverance, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure. Each cyclist pushed their limits, discovering not only Morocco’s breathtaking landscapes but also the inner strength needed to finish such a challenge.
With moments of pain, heartwarming encounters, and awe-inspiring scenery, this edition of BikingMan X Morocco will be remembered as a true ultracycling epic, where passion, discovery, and self-transcendence were at the heart of the experience.
The event is now over for most participants, but the spirit of this race lingers in the Atlas mountains, a reminder that ultracycling is not just a sport but a human adventure where each pedal stroke tells a story.
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