Day 1: Race your idols

‍

Words by Stuart Downie

Photos by Tomás Montes and Liz Seabrook

‍

Three vultures wheel lazily in the warm air over Parcours 1, just outside of La Seu d’Urgell. Robin Gemperle (001) is flying low at the head of the Race in tan jersey and bibs, making him hard to pick out, or at. To look good is already to go fast. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

‍

‍

It is day one of the Trans Pyrenees Race No4 and almost time for the grand depart. Nearly one hundred riders gathered pre-dawn, clicking freehubs mingling with industrious cicadas. TPRNo3’s fastest woman Millie Gibbons, who lives in Girona, arrives on an unloaded bike, to wave the race off – she told us last year was the perfect race, and she’s happy to let that be. When I suggest it’s hard not to pick a good scab, she looks a little disgusted.

‍

Also in attendance is another Girona resident and ultra cycling legend, Ulrich Bartholmoes. Ulrich had hoped to race this year, but was thwarted by his schedule – as he greets his friends in the field, he also hopes that the race might return to fair Girona in the future.

‍

‍

The Race begins with a short neutralised start. The blue lights of its police escort add an official flair, and at least one onlooker is disappointed not to see Race Director Hannah Larbalestier appear out of the sunroof of her Control Car waving a flag. 

‍

Unfortunately for Sam Wilson (085), the end of the escort is as far as he gets before a mechanical sends him back into town. But the race must go on – and so too does Sam, who chases back on after the false start.

‍

Red sky in the morning brings less of a warning and more of a reassurance. Under burgeoning blue skies the lead group forms. Robin Gemperle sets a devil’s pace. Anatole Naimi (044), Robert Müller (060) and Fiona Kolbinger (004) establish themselves at the pointy end in hot pursuit. Of course it’s far too early to make any predictions but we’re not impervious to getting our hopes up where racing is concerned.

‍

‍

Among the lead group is Swiss rider Marco Stalder (039), a relatively unknown quantity with a top-20 finish at Hope 1000 under his belt/tucked into his bike bag. As Robin Gemperle sagely said at registration, the thing with ultra cycling is that there can always be a new face that appears. Maybe this is one.

‍

Seun Alaba (072) was in high spirits on the road out of Girona, climbing well, but we’ve since learned that he put some new shoes on and everything is not alright. Maybe he’ll take a leaf out of Robert Müller’s book and cut a hole in them with a screw? Whatever the solution is, we hope Seun doesn’t overcook his feet on the way to a slice of burnt Basque cheesecake. 

‍

‍

A little like the anticipation of dot-watching at home, time can crawl in the Control Car, especially when we’re waiting for riders to appear. When we catch Anatole Naimi (044) around 15:00CEST on the approach to Parcours 1, he’s on the heels of leader Robin Gemperle and riding in hope of resupply, having run out of water. He tells us he’s going to press on past Parcours 1, taking the direct gravel route.

‍

A little over an hour later we find Fiona Kolbinger (004) in feeling fresh, riding around three hours ahead of her meticulous schedule. After riding the flat plains of the American Midwest, a darn good time is being had – as if we needed confirmation that riding bikes outside is better than the turbo, which Fiona found herself relegated to earlier this year. 

‍

‍

Less than half an hour behind, Molly Weaver (009) is also riding well, not quite sure if she’s under- or over-trained – TBC. The main thing is, Molly’s glad to be underway, because the start is often the least favoured bit, and the old pro racing instinct can kick in when you’re surrounded by riders. But that beast has been tamed, for now at least. Swiss rider Swiss rider Julie von Gruenigen (006) is not far behind, smiling wide in the afternoon sun when we spot her shortly after.

‍

‍

Also at the pointy end is 18-year-old George Juckes (096) on his 17-year-old bike, in good spirits and still with fresh legs. This is his first race after finding a passion for riding long distance with his dad – thanks for choosing Trans Pyrenees, George, we hope you enjoy chasing more riders in the days to come. There’s also 19-year-old Moritz Würtenberg, inspired by countryman Robin Gemperle to take part. There aren’t many races you can share this closely with your idols.

‍

Having said that, there’s also newcomer Esther Lloyd (068) who has been inspired by Molly Weaver among others to get into ultra cycling. When we talk with her it’s the community that’s gotten her stoked and while she says she’s here for the experience we think she might be playing it cool. She’s riding strong, and we see her as we leave the Parcours to make our way further afield for an expected early morning. She’s not alone, riders are strung out along the Parcours chasing one another with Control Point 1 and beyond firmly in their sights.

‍

A lot can and will happen. It’s only day one, and while it’s too early to call we can safely say that there’s a race on.

‍

SCRATCH REPORT

‍

Rob McRitchie (061) – who volunteered at the finish of TPRNo3 – gamely admits biting off more than he can chew and heads for an early bath. We hope he makes it back to us soon to see off this unfinished business.

‍

‍