Hendrik's Event Report:
20/05/07 - La Vauclusienne
Racing around the Ventoux
Belgium-based Hendrik Van Ekert, former amateur racer and cyclo rider, travelled to the Provence last week and participated in the cyclosportive La Vauclusienne. Here's his report:
I reached my main objective, i.e. finishing the race. But, sadly, the legs felt very bad. Probably due to a combination of two weeks without training (because of an injured knee), a ride on the Ventoux on Friday, another bumpy 90km on Saturday and a bunch of anti-inflammation products. I did have the impression, though, that the average level was quite high. Not so many participants (about 350) but nearly all of them finished with an average speed above 30 km/h.
After 10km we hit the first climb, which we took on the 53. I was only just unable to keep up with the first peloton (circa 50 riders) otherwise I would have risked blowing up. I fell back into a group of about 20 riders and together we rode up the Col des Abeilles (10km à 5-6%). Had to grit my teeth to follow.
Everything stayed together and we collected a few guys who had dropped off the first group. In a technical descent I escaped with six others. But after some ten kilometeres of working together the others still caught us back. Then the third genuine climb, about 3 km à 5%. Again a very solid pace and I felt my legs filling up with lactic acid. And in the final 25km they also exploded, I had to 'park' myself completely and could only make it to the finish riding my own tempo. My friend still overtook me and I could not even attach myself to his wheel anymore.
In the end 115th in the result list, half an hour behind the winner, but still with an average speed of 32.2 over 137km and some 1850 hm. Soit, I am not unsatisfied. My knee, which had been hurting so much the last two weeks, seems to have gotten better by the climbing. Either because of the anti-inflammation tablets or my slightly higher seating position on the bike.
Conclusion: "La Vauclusienne - Tristan Mouric" is a great cyclo in a wonderfull scenery riding around the legendary Mont Ventoux.
The race is perfectly organized, you get much value for your money (eg. nice cycling glasses, some commercial products, breakfast at the start, dinner with wine 'à volonté' at the finish, ...) and you even have the opportunity to cycle against Alain Prost, the famous F1 rider who participates in this cyclo every year (this year he ended up 58th).
Website of this cyclosportive: http://www.cyclosport-lavauclusienne.fr
HAC4+ Data:
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