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For the third time, I’m participating in the Bosses de Provence. It’s an already well-oiled organization that continues to improve and optimize certain details over the years, at least since my last participation in 2016 where I took second place behind David De Vecchi, just like in 2015 behind Florian Hudry.
To start, let’s talk about the only negative point, namely the start in the Luminy university campus. Indeed, it’s more than 2500 cyclists divided into different pens for 2.5 km of descent on a road, certainly closed to traffic, but really dangerous, before reaching the standing start at the foot of the Col de la Gineste. To avoid this problem, it would have been enough for priority riders, for example the first 50 of the last editions, to start like the Éco Cyclo team, a few minutes earlier. This would avoid unnecessary stress to position oneself and attack the climb in one’s place.
For my part, no worries, and I manage to stay in the front row. The start is given at 8:30 am, and it’s the riders from La Pomme and Delko who set the tone. Perfect, the tempo is high, but it allows us to get into the rhythm immediately and avoid certain gaps from some cyclists when they are beyond their limits. A wide descent, which we will have to climb back up on the return. The Marseille teams ride, always at a good steady tempo, and we quickly arrive at the Ceyreste climb.
Apparently, the presence of pros bothers some, and they make it known. But we must not forget that Grandfondos are open to everyone; that’s also the beauty of cyclosport, being able to measure oneself against Contador or many others. Also, you have to accept that there are stronger riders than you, that’s what allows you to progress…
First offensive
It’s Mickael Plantureux who launches the offensive and goes for a small breakaway. Behind, La Pomme rides more or less, and he maintains a good thirty seconds before the foot of the first “big” difficulty: the Col de l’Espigoulier.
Very quickly, as soon as we leave Genemos, I can’t help but launch a small attack; a rider from Sisteron accompanies me, and Rodolphe Lourd, a little more sluggishly at first. I feel super good, and I try not to get too carried away. The relays work very well with Rodolphe and the rider from Sisteron. At 3 km from the summit, we see the Marseillais, accompanied only by Stéphane Cognet, gradually catching up to us. So, we don’t panic, and they catch up on the small and winding descent that leads us to Plan d’Aulps. It’s here, unfortunately, that a little later a rider from Team velo101 falls heavily. We wish him a good recovery, in great shape for next year.
Cognet above the rest
Other riders gradually catch up, including the only one I know: Fred Ostian. So, a good twenty riders descend to Nans-les-Pins. In the meantime, we have caught Mickael Plantureux. We arrive in Saint-Zacharie where, as soon as we leave, we find small, very steep slopes. It’s here that Stéphane Cognet, who had not revealed himself until then, launches a really big attack. Mickael, then I, in a second phase, make the junction. And finally, two riders from Delko. For my part, I am quite unable to take relays, just like the other three riders present. A little out of strength, I drop at 2 km from the summit. The gap increases very quickly as I am physically and mentally exhausted. And behind, the chasing group is also relatively far away. About one minute 30 at the summit.
I therefore decide to continue in regeneration mode for the end of the Espigoulier, in order to be caught on the descent. A descent smoothly led by Fred Ostian. We find ourselves a good ten riders taking turns, about 2 minutes behind the leaders. But the relays are not sustained enough, and above all, not everyone collaborates sufficiently, or even at all. For my part, now, it’s not too important anymore, just trying to make a good last climb of the Gineste.
A final false flat section that hurts after 164 km and 3000 m of elevation gain.
Just before, a new small difficulty punctuates the course, but it remains very light; however, the Gineste is approached from lower down, from memory. As soon as the climb proper begins, at the exit of Cassis, I launch a strong attack and no one follows. I concentrate on my effort. But on the section that flattens out, I see two riders from VC la Pomme coming back. I let them ride a bit, then take another strong, sustained relay. And we find ourselves as two. At 1 km from the summit, we catch a DelKo rider who was ahead. And who will not finish the race. A clear descent even if this section is closed to motorists. At 2 km from the finish, I don’t calculate too much and I put myself in front on this last false flat section that hurts after 164 km and 3000 m of elevation gain.
A top-notch organization
Fred had actually come back to the foot, and they sprinted for third place with the rider from Marseille. I therefore finished fifth, satisfied with my race, as I couldn’t have done better today: no regrets, I couldn’t compete against Stephane Cognet who won: very strong today! This Cyclo is one of the most beautiful events on the calendar. Indeed, safety is truly present, even if some imprudence from certain individuals can be avoided. Police, motorcyclists, marshals: everyone is present for a great organization. This accompanies us all the way to the shower and with a good meal in the cafeteria. Awards ceremony as well as a raffle with many prizes offered by partners to be won. Time for a few days of recovery before I tackle the last cyclo of the season: the Haute Route Ventoux.
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