Abdellah Hida, day 3 winner, takes the lead
The third day of BikingMan X Morocco 2024 was packed with twists and turns, with a major shake-up at the front of the race. Battling numerous challenges under the intense heat of the Atlas, riders arrived at the Oasis Lodge in Marrakech. The day began with a fierce nighttime battle. While Sébastien Pailly held the lead at the end of day two, the night would soon change everything.
A nighttime battle and a new leader
At dawn on day three, the race saw a dramatic shift. Sébastien Pailly was forced to stop in Ouarzazate due to persistent knee pain. This setback cleared the way for Abdellah Hida, a former Moroccan professional cyclist competing in his first BikingMan. Hida seized the opportunity, taking the lead about 100 km from the finish. Pushing through fatigue and endurance limits, he crossed the finish line first, greeted by enthusiastic cheers.
Hida’s first words after his victory were filled with emotion: “It’s all good; the fatigue is behind me. The race is over.”
Midday reflections: well-deserved breaks
While Abdellah Hida sped toward victory, other participants were still hundreds of kilometers from the finish, many around the desert city of Zagora. Known for its intense heat, Zagora was an almost essential stop for riders to hydrate, rest, and share their thoughts.
Bruno Pallierne remarked, “It’s going well; I always find someone to chat with, and the atmosphere is great. We’re having good times, and I’ll gently make my way to checkpoint 3 tomorrow, hoping to reach the finish line.”
Christophe Coulomb added, “It’s going smoothly. We had a good rest near checkpoint 2, got to bed at 9 p.m., and now we’re rolling along, enjoying the scenery.”
The general classification race: Gregory Cassini takes the lead
Following Hida’s arrival, Gregory Cassini and Laurianne Plaçais also reached the finish. By finishing ahead of Plaçais, Cassini took the lead in the season’s overall standings. Though uncertain about competing in the final event in Taiwan, he is currently the frontrunner for the championship title.
Cassini shared a moment from his race, recounting a stroke of luck in finding a place to sleep:
“I had unbelievable luck. I came across a Moroccan guy selling Coca-Cola on the street. I told him I was looking for somewhere to sleep, and he took me to his home. I got to sleep in his living room on a rug, with a pillow and a blanket. It was perfect. Moroccan hospitality—a wonderful surprise and a great memory.”
On his new status as the general classification leader, Cassini added:
“It’s always an honor to take the overall lead. It shows consistency, even though I know I may not hold the top spot by the season’s end.”
Laurianne Plaçais reflects on her race
Laurianne also shared her reflections after reaching the finish:
“It’s a good feeling because I finally managed to enjoy myself without stressing about the result. I often worry about losing time, like on that very technical Gravel section. I kept thinking I’d be caught, but this time, I managed to ease up a bit.”
A heartfelt journey: the story of Matthieu Plessis
Another highlight of the day was Matthieu Plessis’s finish, with a truly moving story. Matthieu shared how a year ago, he had been struck by Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that left him tetraplegic. He had to relearn how to speak, walk, and eventually ride a bike.
Today, he crossed the BikingMan X Morocco finish line, accompanied by his brother, filled with emotion:
“A year ago, I had Guillain-Barré syndrome. I found myself in the hospital, 90% paralyzed. For five days, I thought my life was over. Today, I’m here. It’s a bit of a life comeback and a message of hope for anyone going through tough times. In life, you need to tell your loved ones you love them, and then, sometimes, be a little selfish.”
A final stop before the day ends
Late in the afternoon, we circled back to checkpoint 3 in Tighirt, the last open control point. Checkpoint 2 had already closed on this third day. Most riders still in the race were heading toward Ouarzazate, located at kilometer 680, aiming for a final stop to rest before pushing onward.
Participant Tom Nieucel shared his perspective:
“The third day is always when you really get into the rhythm of a long-distance race. I’ll finish today in Ouarzazate, sleep a few hours, and set out to finish tomorrow night.”
Jean-Paul Sachet added:
“It’s the end of the day, and I’m feeling better than this morning. Climbing the pass was tough with the heat, especially after a sleepless night. But I’m okay!”
An emotion-filled, challenging day 3
Due to recent storms that made some Gravel sections impassable, the route was shortened to 900 km. About 90 participants remain on the Moroccan roads, with a deadline of Friday noon to reach the finish line in Marrakech.
Before closing, a significant update: Sébastien Pailly, who had led the race’s start, ultimately had to withdraw due to knee pain.
To track the riders’ progress, don’t forget to follow BikingMan’s social media and Oaka’s live tracking platform.
Join us tomorrow for the recap of day four of BikingMan X Morocco 2024.
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