Day 3 // Cannibalistically Developed

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Words by Stuart Downie

Photos by Liz Seabrook and Tomás Montes

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When we wake up – perhaps a half hour later than we should – Max Agut (001) has whittled the advantage of Nicolas Chatelet (008). Nicolas passed through CP2 just five minutes after Max, with Bruno Wicht (066) following ten minutes after that. I can’t recall a time when the top three places of Trans Pyrenees have been contested so closely. Never mind the Road World Championships, this should make a thrilling denouement of its own.

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On our way to the CP, we see Nicholas Chatelet (008) and Bruno Wicht (066) on the road, heading back towards France and the Raid Parcours, both moving well and looking strong after two days of pushing hard on the bike. Bruno will later tell us that even though they’ve raced together before, the pair has never spoken – we’re sure they’ll have some notes to compare in Girona.

Never Dream with Thy Hand on the Helm

Yesterday we saw Jana Kesenheimer (002) riding through Añisclo. She was surprised by just how few people had slept on the first night. Trans Pyrenees is neither short nor easy. The balance is important. She told us that her hotel was booked – but some 240 km away. This was mid-afternoon, so a fair bit to ride before bedtime. When we saw her again at CP2, it was only 190 km, and she seemed much more positive about this prospect. Riding ultra is riding the wave.

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On our way to CP3, and not too long after the podium places, we see Anatole Naimi (076) on the descent of CP3, diving into the corners with intent, keen to press on. The road surface is rough, but ahead lies the chain of cols in the Raid Parcours, with their Tour de France-freshened surfaces, where we’ve encountered Anatole before as he chased TPRNo4 winner Robin Gemperle. There’ll be some cols to take in the dark; Girona a dream for now.

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Not Down On Any Map

Coming into CP3, Alex McCormack (093) admitted that he’s perhaps undercooked his route. Saving distance if not time and energy. A litre of chocolate milk – he wanted a small one but won’t waste what he’s got – is consumed, and a sandwich artfully made before setting tentatively off to find out what other treats are in store as a result of the lackadaisical routing.

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Next, Anna Richter (004) arrives. Leading the FLINTA field, Anna is resolute and also efficient, taking little time to get through the CP and resupply in the supermarket. An eye for performance is apparent: a bag of ice goes in the backpack, a kilo of sugar in a pocket on the bibs – this is the amount Anna knows is required for a day of riding. For those in the know, 60-90g of carbs (ie sugar) per hour is a fairly standard approach to fuelling, and at this rate a kilo of sugar would last around 12h. Plus, there’s a big bag of Cheetos for balance.

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Omar di Felice (010) is another rider returning to TPR, having scratched at TPRNo4 – continuing the theme of unfinished business. In that edition we didn’t cross paths, so I’ve not spoken to him until today. Turns out it was worth the wait – if you think the Italian has style on the bike (you should), just try him off the bike. His manners charm the volunteers, and they seem sad to see him go.

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Where manners are concerned, Charlie Bratt (149) is another pair of safe hands. A strong start at TPRNo5 marred by a scratch at the midpoint sees Charlie back for more. He’s been thinking about the return ever since. Day one was tough, he says, and he struggled with his stomach. But his legs felt amazing, and who wouldn’t press an advantage like that around here? Charlie turns now toward the unknown Raid Parcours.

They Dined Like Lords

Who’ll round out the top ten? Adam Bialek (006) is racing Sylvain Arhancet (096), who beats him to the CP by a mere 13 minutes. But the race doesn’t stop there. This is perhaps first impressed when it comes time for the first cut off, 16:00 at CP2. In the square in Sarvisé there’s an impromptu party, with riders gathered under the shade of the trees outside the hostal the volunteers are staying at. Simon Everett (046) has volunteered at TPR for the last four editions, and now it’s his time to ride. His review: Lost Dot have nailed the parcours, and he’s enjoyed every minute. He loved the winding ride along the Cañón de Añisclo, and was pleased to have made the CP with little under half an hour to spare, believing he could but still unsure how it would pan out. Last to arrive before the cut off at 16:00 was Tanja Hacker (060) at 15:54. She had made Sarvisé in good time, but not realising the CP was closing went to the restaurant to have lunch first, stopping between courses to pop up for a stamp in her brevet card – with minutes to spare.

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Our bursary riders are putting in a fine performance, with Katharina Wirth (027) still riding high on her way to CP3, Julien Bourbiaux (063) still riding within GC and on track to make good on his return visit, and Cherlene May (130) en route to CP2, still on course in spite of missing the cut off time.

At this point we leave the coast to reach the Raid Parcours. We see Jesko on the edge of Laruns outside a closed supermarket (Google says it was open!), and further up the still-salty Norwegian leading pair Jorgen Mellem (152a) and Henrik Fiskådal (152b) are sitting at a restaurant waiting for the kitchen to open. Kim Heikkinen (012) arrives while they wait and decides to stop for food as well. It’s kicking off in Laruns.

Next up? The glory of the Pyrenees, and a possible sunset on Tourmalet.

Art Not Game for Moby Dick?

One most perilous and long voyage ended… Nine more call it a day.

Stephane Fondement (094), Vinny Guerin (139), Niklas Böhm (132), Guido Dees (051), Pavel Krajčík (072), Krzysztof Sadaj (112), Staffan Ekholm (113), Artie Carpenter (044) and Alexander Mayer (042)

With so many returning riders this year, perhaps this is not goodbye?

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