Valence-Vercors Race Report

While many cyclists had resumed competition before this sportive, for many it was their return to racing with a bib number at the Valence-Vercors sportive. A new event that allowed riders to test themselves on four courses from 80 to 190 km on June 27.

By David Polveroni – Photos: @Team Vercors

Valence, shoe capital: you had to have your feet firmly attached to the pedals on this first part, leading us up the Col de Jerome Cavalli, a famous aviator. Indeed, before soaring through the passes, numerous islands and narrowings made some crashes, more or less serious, inevitable… A dangerous start. For my part, I stayed well-placed, trying a few times to follow attacks. I found my colleague Pelizarri, as fiery as ever, who didn’t care what was left and didn’t hide in the peloton.

A peloton that slowed down on the first climb, after just over 23 km, an ascent with a few hairpins, and a steady gradient of around 6%. Rodolphe Lourd of Team Vercors quickly set a steady pace, even though the peloton was still quite sleepy. 

At the summit, it didn’t really descend; we were almost on white roads with a thick layer of gravel, with small, more or less steep climbs. I lost contact when I reached the Limouches road. From the start, I felt that my body wasn’t responding very well, my heart rate was very high for not much effort. Well, it’s not a big deal, my 2010 KOM still holds, and I’ll catch up on the descent… 

Because, arriving at Léoncel, it surprised me a little, even though it was to be expected, quite a few riders were doing the short course and turned off at Tourniol. We would return there in just under 100 km, not really the same race. It’s a bit annoying because it’s no longer the same management of efforts. Of course, you find the best riders from the long course at the front with those from the short one, but the race isn’t managed in the same way.

For many participants who want to measure themselves against others, this poses a problem. Why, for example, not offer each participant a jersey (or a bib) with a distinctive color according to the course they are participating in? This might allow some to manage better? Or a staggered start per course? This would also smooth out this nervous start; you don’t start with the same mindset for 80 or 180 km…

Back to the race: we quickly re-established contact, with three other comrades, on the lead group composed of participants from the 150 and 180 km courses. At Oriol-en-Royans, same story, quite a few riders went for the 150 km course and we found ourselves a small group of about ten tackling the Col de la Machine: 7 km at 7.5%. Indeed, Rodolphe Lourd, the machine, was on his way and set a steady pace for us. 

Gaudissart: even today we have time to appreciate the Combes Laval. I am on more than familiar ground; these are roads I regularly use for training. 

The sun is out, as is the wind; it’s heavy and dehydration gradually sets in if you don’t take care to hydrate. I’m doing what I can today; I picked up half a bottle kindly left by a rider at the machine, which is very little for 180 km. 

Col de Carri: still not a high tempo, but I feel my legs aren’t great. Probably lack of form, accentuated by this heat that I’ve never liked. Then, a descent that I know well… And we attack the Col de Proncel, with Rodolphe Lourd, as usual, setting the tempo at the front of the group. In his wheel, I want to take stock a bit and drop back. Yes, but… No one closes the gap.

In this little game, Team Vercors with the two Gaillards, Cyril and Julien, Rodolphe’s teammates, did their job well. He quickly pulled away alone into the headwind since no one was riding. Too bad, there are still km to make up.

And that’s what happened a few kilometers later in the Col de Lachau. From the bottom, Vincent Arnaud set a good pace, a pace that suited me, but after 1 km, Julien Berard accelerated, and as is my habit lately, it was impossible for me to pick up the pace. Then, the feeling of descending into hell, the mental aspect was affected, it wasn’t moving anymore. I saw Julien Gaillard coming back, so as usual on these last three sportives, we rode together. I made sure to refuel with what solid food I had, but I was completely dry on drinks. Complicated.

In the Col de la Portette, we got the wind at our backs again; I tried to get back into a cruising rhythm to finish “well”. No sensor or anything, just by feel, anyway the numbers were too bad, we weren’t going to add another layer to the mental struggle. From the first ramps of La Bataille, I found myself alone, Julien was struggling. At that moment, I kept hope of catching up on any potential failures ahead, because there were still kilometers of flat in the final. La Bataille from this side is sumptuous; this pass overlooks the Royans and offers magnificent landscapes. It’s also very calm on this Ambel plateau. Many hiking trails start here.

On foot: that’s not my state, but almost. Fortunately, the pass is relatively rolling but irregular. Basically, two climbs of 3/4 km at 5/7.5%, interspersed with a small descent. At the summit, I was 8th, and I was told the 9th was catching up. I told myself I could finish in a duo. However, I skipped the Léoncel aid station, a bit euphoric and not too reasonable, I told myself I would finish like that, too bad. 

The short (3 km at 6/7%) Col du Tourniol: I was still looking for the comfortable rhythm that would allow me to finish without digging too deep. And on the last switchbacks, I saw Nicolas Reynaud catching up to me. I managed to grab a 750 ml bottle from a charming young lady sitting on the side of the road. At that moment, it was a deliverance. I savored every sip like never before. The descent of the Tourniol is tiring with many tight switchbacks and little gradient. Just before Barbières, ideally, Nicolas caught up to me. Perfect timing. The final was windy, often a headwind, and on a very “uneven” course, with frequent intersections. We reached the finish by relaying efficiently. We had some hesitation on the final direction choices, but no problems afterward. I let him cross the line, no sprint, in 9th place after 5h43min of effort over these 180 km and 3500 m of elevation gain.

A more than decent meal followed, nothing to complain about. Overall, I found the organization to be of very good quality for a first event, even if not everything was perfect. Dangerous start management and a hazardous return are the two points to improve to make it a flagship event on the sportive calendar in the years to come. In the meantime, feel free to leave me a quick message on my Strava if you want to take a ride in the Vercors, or for information.

Results: 

Men:

1. Arnaud Vincent (Chadam Cycling Team) in 5h36min34s
2. Bérard Julien in 5h36min34s
3. Gaillard Cyril (Team Vercors) in 5h36min34s

Women:

1. Udny Camille (Chadam Cycling Team) in 6h50min17s
2. Doublier Julie (Triathlo Club Val de Drôme) in 7h30min55s
3. Amblard Camille (CORBAS) in 7h51min41s

Link to my Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/5537438504/

Event website: https://www.lavalencevercors.fr

Results: https://stsport.fr/LIVE/g-live.html?f=YOUREVENT/2021LaValenceVercors.clax

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