BikingMan X Morocco 2024: Day 1 – A spicy, challenging race

The start in Marrakech

The ninth and penultimate race of the Ultra Cycling World Championship season, BikingMan X Morocco 2024, kicked off in Marrakech. The official start took place early in the morning, following final preparations and briefings at the Oasis Lodge headquarters. This race is unique, as the route remains a secret until just hours before the start, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the adventure.

Participants prepared for this unique challenge, each with their own goals and motivations. Daniel Mamopulakos, for instance, shared:

“It’s a dream of mine to explore the Atlas Mountains of North Africa with BikingMan and friends who already feel like family.”

Alfred Lasry, whose paternal family is originally from Morocco, expressed his emotions before embarking on this journey:

“This is my first race in Morocco, a country that means so much to me as part of my family was born here. It’s a significant moment because it’s also my first time coming to Morocco.”

For others, the Gravel experience and the unknown terrain represented a major challenge. Laurianne Plaçais confided:

“It’s a bit like usual—I’m stressed before the start, but I can’t wait to be in the middle of the night to steady myself and begin focusing.”

A strong start: the first day of racing

After the countdown, the cyclists set off in the early morning hours. Shortly after, a lead group led by Sébastien Pailly set an intense pace on the Moroccan roads. As temperatures rose, the cyclists began facing the first challenges of this 1,000-km race, including numerous Gravel sections, a tougher terrain than they had encountered in previous races this season.

The course quickly showed its “spicy” nature, with Gravel segments between kilometers 100 and 115, including slopes up to 17%. Gregory Cassini, one of the riders, commented:

“It’s the beginning, and it’s already very selective. If it continues like this, it’s going to be something!”

Celebration at checkpoint 1: a warm welcome and first impressions

The first major checkpoint, located at Café Baba Jamaa at kilometer 153, welcomed the first riders by late afternoon. Volunteers from the El Bararaka Angels association provided a welcome as festive as any major race, with an ambiance reminiscent of the Tour de France, complete with a spontaneous dance performance. This burst of energy gave participants a boost after a long day.

Sébastien Pailly was the first to reach this checkpoint in the late afternoon, about 12 hours after the start, with other competitors close behind. After an intense day, Sébastien shared his thoughts:

“So far, it’s going well. It was a tough mountain pass. There’s still another pass to go, and I’ll try to descend as quickly as possible before nightfall.”

Guillaume de Spoelberch, another rider, expressed his amazement despite the difficulty:

“What a beautiful country! The scenery is magnificent, but it’s tough. I ran out of water over the last 10 kilometers before the pass; it was challenging because I was dry.”

“We just went over a 2,500-meter mountain pass; it was incredible. There was nothing but a few shepherds with their goats.”

An unplanned route change: the impact of weather conditions

One major factor on this first day was an unexpected route change, decided by the organizers in consultation with local authorities. Due to recent floods and an orange alert for heavy rain in the region, the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie restricted access to certain roads, forcing the organizers to shorten the course by 150 km to ensure participant safety.

This change means the distance between checkpoint 1 and checkpoint 2 is now much shorter. Some saw this as a relief, but it also altered the race strategy for many participants.

The first night battle: a night in the atlas mountains

As night fell, a new phase of the race began: the first night battle in the Atlas Mountains. Sébastien Pailly, still in the lead, continued to set a strong pace. However, the night would reshuffle the standings, as technical descents on Gravel and accumulated fatigue began to take their toll.

Provisional standings at the end of day one

As the first day drew to a close, Sébastien Pailly maintained a comfortable lead. Participants continued arriving at checkpoint 1, with some taking a moment to rest before heading back out into the Moroccan night.

The provisional standings at checkpoint 1 were as follows:

• Sébastien Pailly – 6h35 of racing
• Abdellah Hida – 7h of racing
• Guillaume de Spoelberch – 7h03 of racing
• Guillaume Klein – 7h06 of racing
• Gregory Cassini – 7h09 of racing

Other participants continued at their own pace, knowing that the road to checkpoint 2 would be shorter than expected.

A start marked by tntensity and unpredictability

This first day of BikingMan X Morocco 2024 confirmed the event’s reputation: challenging, unpredictable, and full of surprises. The secret route, Gravel segments, altitude, and changing weather conditions had already tested the athletes. Adapting to the course change, caused by flooding and rain, added a strategic element to the adventure.

All participants have now embarked on the second phase of the race, with the night ahead in the Atlas Mountains promising more twists and turns. To follow the riders’ progress, don’t forget to check BikingMan’s social media and the live tracking platform by Oaka, keeping you updated on every move of these ultracycling heroes.

Join us tomorrow for a recap of Day Two of BikingMan X Morocco 2024, where the battle for victory promises to intensify even further.

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