He will cycle 65 km in the Gard on life support

À chaque parcours, Philippe Poncet alerte sur la maladie. O2&Cie

Suffering from a serious lung disease, Philippe Poncet, 65, will leave Anduze on Wednesday, September 18, by bike towards the Pont du Gard to raise awareness of the fight against the disease.

Philippe Poncet is a sports fanatic. When he was younger, he even practiced at a high level. But in 2008, his life changed. Suffering, he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A serious respiratory disease that poisons the lungs and bronchi. And who forces the patient to live on life support.

On the trail to alert

Since the beginning of his life with the disease, he has rebelled against a“General lack of awareness”. According to the WHO, COPD is the third most deadly disease in the world. It affects 5 million French people. “There are more than 230,000 people in France on respiratory assistance, he claims. And only less than 1% of research is attributed to it. We have reached a stage of total ignominy. People are falling apart and most of the country doesn't even know this disease exists. »

Refusing to give up cycling, Philippe Poncet approached Christian Ceznec in 2013, a former top-level rider in Poulidor's team (and 3rd in the late Grand Prix de Midi Libre in 1975). Since then, he has been surrounded by a whole team called O2 & Cie, to achieve courses worthy of great riders. Surrounded by a team, he has succeeded, among other things, in conquering major passes (the Stelvio in Italy or the Aspin in the Pyrenees). Each time, colleagues pedal alongside him, carrying on their backs the oxygen bottles that he desperately needs.

They complete these courses to raise awareness and inform people about the disease. To show that nothing is insurmountable and that care is a national emergency. This Wednesday, Philippe Poncet will set off, with 20 other riders, from Anduze (start at 9am) towards the Pont du Gard.

A 65km stage, once again, to raise awareness of this “catastrophic national health situation”. “It's a real challenge, basically, for people like me, it's impossible”, he adds. Usually, at my level, the sick can barely leave their beds." But Philippe Poncet does not want to make this a self-centered victory. "I am not looking for medals, I just want to show that what we need most is to improve the medical system." Amateur runners and cyclists from Gard are invited to join this solidarity peloton.