Cyclosportive: at L’Espérou, victory by half a tire for Lozérien Damien Albaret

Like last year, the victory on the long course was decided in a sprint and Damien Albaret from Lozère “jumped” Pierre Saint-Martin from Nîmes on the line. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Godmother of this 2024 edition, former pro Juanita Arnaud Fedhahn (left) won the 133 km. Over the 116 km, Viganaise Malorie Valetti (right) won ahead of Montpellier Clara Chapuis. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Lozerian Damien Albaret, 39, who races under the Auvergne colors of the Issoire club, spoke about his experience. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Pierre Saint-Martin, 20, who is more of a climber, played his part by launching the sprint 600 m from the finish. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Saint-Affricain Adrien Vidal, 21, who wears the GSC Blagnac 31 jersey, was there to prepare for the Tour du Piémont Pyrénées. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Between Gard, Hérault and Aveyron, the approximately two hundred runners once again crossed magnificent landscapes this year. Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

At the end of 133 km and 3h41’44’’of racing, the victory of the Gem Bik’Aigoual Région Occitanie was decided in a sprint and Damien Albaret won by "jumping" on the line Pierre Saint-Martin, licensee of Nîmes Cyclisme.

The fastest pedaled in light rain for the last few kilometers only. The others had a hell of a time, the intense storm having broken out shortly after noon. The weather spoiled the party on Saturday June 29 in L’Espérou, where the 25th edition of the Gem Bik’Aigoual Région Occitanie took place. The weather was not good, the peloton was thin (two hundred runners) but the race was beautiful.

2 506 meters of elevation gain

On the demanding Fenioux course (133km, 2506 D+), like last year, it was a sprint that won ;rsquo;is played. The last hectometers were not steep enough for Saint-Affricain Adrien Vidal, who didn't really know " how the finale was going", joins in the fight.

The 21-year-old from Aveyron, who races in DN2 under the colors of Blagnac 31, third as in 2023 in 3h43’44’’, had no regrets: "I'm in my place. It was the last test for me before the Tour du Piedmont Pyrénées, from July 5 to 7, one of my big goals for the season, and it was successful."

Saint-Martin really believed that he was going to win

Even if he also has the size of a climber, the Azuréen Pierre Saint-Martin, 20 years old, who lives in Saint-Siffret and has been riding for Nîmes Cyclisme for three years old, he tried his luck. "I don’have the strength to sprint, he says, so I started the movement quite early, at 600 meters, saying to myself: “Put everything in and we'll see…” I turned around the first time and saw that it was coming back. I turned around a second time and it came again. I didn't look back, I rushed forward and just as I thought I was crossing the line, I was caught again. It was played with half a wheel…"

Albaret’s experience prevailed

Saint-Martin, 21st in the Occitanie championship at the beginning of June, member of the Nîmes Cyclisme MTB team with whom he participates in the Coupe de France, was grilled by Lozérien Damien Albaret, both men being credited with the same time (3h41’44’’).

Fourth of La Durtorccha at the end of May, around Orcines, the Lozérien "expatriated to Auvergne in DN3 in Issoire", spoke about his experience, from the height of his 39 springs, admitting to having " bluffed and procrastinated"on some relays.

Albaret – Saint-Martin – Vidal. After a very quick descent from the Col du Minier, the trio knew how to set the pace as soon as the road rose and "it jumped as they went along"  summarizes the second. "The little kids were great climbers, they didn't hide, it was a great game of cranks", smiled the winner, soon to be a father for the first time.

As in 2023, victory for Australian Juanita Arnaud in the women's category

Among the women (3 participants), unsurprisingly, it is the 2024 godmother and title holder, the former Australian pro Juanita Arnaud Fedhahn, 51 years old, now based in Savoie, who won the title. rsquo;won in 4h52’26’’.

Over the 116 km, Gabriel Bour (BMC Béziers) from Hérault was ahead of Aveyron native Corentin Cros (Bozsport nature) and Bucco-Rhodan native Antonin Salas (AVC Aix). Midi Libre – Thierry Albenque

Gabriel Bour winner of the 106 km on his 18th birthday

On the Quézac course (106km, 1842D+), Gabriel Bour (BMC Béziers) gave himself a nice birthday present on his 18th birthday. The Manceau installed in Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit in Hérault for around ten years was not part of the breakaway which formed on the descent after the first pass.

Despite a Di2 problem and a derailleur stuck on the small chainring, he picked up the riders one by one during the last twenty-five kilometers, taking advantage of the climbs of the passes of the Pierre-Plantée and Rhodes. Returning to the race lead five kilometers from the finish, he launched an attack three kilometers later: "J’ I wanted to anticipate because I'm not good at sprinting."

He did well because no one reacted at the time and he won in 3h06.22. He beat the Aveyron native Corentin Cros (Bozsport nature), the Bucco-Rhodanian Antonin Salas (AVC Aix) and the Hérault native Adrien Bernard (Teyran Bike), all three credited with the same time (3h06 & ;#39;32").

Malorie Valetti first female on the 106 km

Viganese triathlete Malorie Valetti (Pic Saint-Loup triathlon), who rides quite a bit in the area but didn't really know the sector taken by this Gem Bik’Aigoual Région Occitanie 2024, between Gard, Hérault and Aveyron, won the women's race in 3h49'31''. Her second victory this year after her success at the end of March on the 85km from La Beuchigue, to Saint-Sever (Landes). Malorie Valetti finished with more than a quarter of an hour ahead of Clara Chapuis (Urban Bike Montpellier, 4h05'06'').

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