Transiberica

Despite the heavy storms that hit the riders yesterday afternoon, spirits seem high in the mid-pack. Smiling selfies and plenty of jokes suggest that most riders out on the course are enjoying themselves, and that’s what it’s all about.

Joux Plane marks the start of a sequence of four CPs through the French Alps. Stretching 11.7 km, with an average gradient of 8.5%, it’s a brutal climb that will put the already tired legs of the Transiberica riders to the test.

📸 bite of me | sport photography

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Media Car 1 caught up with leader Pierre Sarramea (cap145) on the parcourse of Checkpoint 4.

Pierre Sarramea looked fresh and said he’s already looking forward to getting to the hotel in Valence after CP6. He reckons his tactic of sleeping on the first night is paying off compared to the riders behind him who decided to push through without sleep. Sergio Molinero is now about an hour behind, and it looks like it could be a two-horse race from here all the way to the finish in Bilbao.

The CP4 parcourse features a sequence of three climbs: Col de la Colombière, Col des Aravis and finally Col de l’Arpettaz, via its wildest side, the famous “Route de la Soif” (Route of Thirst). This 14km gravel road in Haute-Savoie offers riders spectacular panoramic views of Mont Blanc.

The French Alps have shown their teeth, and this checkpoint is a reminder that the hardest roads often bring the most unforgettable moments.

📸 Carlos Mazón | Transiberica

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CP2 brought the riders into full Alpine mode, climbing towards the Grand Ballon, the highest point in the Vosges. The road up offered spectacular mountain views before the route headed towards the brutal Super Planche des Belles Filles.

In the women’s race, Eva Frings (cap57) is still leading the way, with Nathalie Goemans (cap117) close behind.Both have already covered more than 850 km and are sitting comfortably inside the top 30 overall. They stopped for some sleep on the first night, so they were well rested as they tackled the Vosges.

With sunshine, favourable winds and endless mountain passes ahead, the Alps are now firmly in sight.

📸 bite of me | sport photography

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At sunrise, the front group reached the first part of CP2 at the top of the Grand Ballon.

Leading the way was our well-known Marco Martins, followed by Paul Niehoff (cap169). Unfortunately, Marco (cap105) suffered a serious crash on the descent, breaking his collarbone and was airlifted to the nearest hospital. Media Car 1 and the emergency services were with him, and from here, we can only wish him a speedy recovery.

Not far behind, Sergio Molinero rolled through in third place, looking in great spirits and determined to keep pushing towards the juicy climbs of the Alps.

Head to the link in bio to follow Follow My Challenge®

📸 bite of me | sport photography

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The majority of riders have now ticked off CP1 in La Roche-en-Ardenne, a historic town in the heart of the Ardennes and are continuing through Liège-Bastogne-Liège territory towards their first night on the road.

Most of the top 10 have seemingly followed a similar route throughout the day and are now crossing into France, with a big evening resupply in Metz and Nancy on the cards.

The Vosges are calling now and it looks like Pierre Sarramea will be the first rider to enter the parcourse leading towards the Grand Ballon, passing through the ski resort of Le Markstein along the way.

Night is coming… let’s find out who’s pushing on and who’s stopping for some well-earned sleep.

📸 bite of me | sport photography

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Sunrise over the legendary Paterberg.

The Transiberica riders faced in the start parcourse one of the most iconic cobbled climbs in the Flemish Ardennes. Just 400 metres long, but with an average gradient of over 12% and ramps reaching up to 20%.

From there, they headed towards CP1 in La Roche-en-Ardenne.

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📸 Carlos Mazón | Transiberica

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Here’s the official route of ! Swipe left to discover the 10 checkpoints.

Aprox. 2.850km | +41.000m elevation

⏱️Official START | August 22nd 6:00am

10 CPs:
🚩START | Oudenaarde (Belgium) 🇧🇪
CP #01 La Roche-en-Ardenne
CP #02 Les Vosges
CP #03 Col de Joux Plane
CP #04 Col de l’Arpettaz
CP05 Belvedere Revard
CP06 Vercors Massif
CP07 Pas de Peyrol - Puy Mary
CP08 Col d’Pailhéres
CP09 Pradell
CP10 San Juan de la Peña
🏁FINISH | BILBAO 🇪🇸

Which one is your favourite? Comment or share!

Total riders | 200 🚴
Female riders | 18 🚴🏽‍♀️
Nationalities | 27

🇪🇸 Spain 47, 🇩🇪 Germany 44, 🇫🇷 France 19, 🇧🇪 Belgium 16, 🇨🇭 Switzerland 14, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 14, 🇮🇹 Italy 7, 🇳🇱 Netherlands 6, 🇦🇹 Austria 5, 🇵🇹 Portugal 4, 🇵🇱 Poland 4, 🇺🇸 United States 3, 🇸🇪 Sweden 2, 🇮🇪 Ireland 2, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇪🇨 Ecuador, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇻🇪 Venezuela, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇲🇾 Malaysia.

Let the countdown begin.

See you in Ourdenarde!

🖌️ Alex Hotchin

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