Through Julien bergognat
Published on
updated on 27 Aug 21 at 16:21
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Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 36 members of the French Cycling Federation were welcomed by the Cycloclub langonnais. Athletes, aged 40 to 80, participate in a 3-week Tour de France made up of 20 stages and 2,640 kilometers.
“When a biker puts down his motorcycle, he is no longer a biker. When a cyclist puts down his bike, he remains a cyclist! “
Philippe Vidal, octogenarian with the appearance of a young man, participates with passion in the Tour de France organized by the French cycling federation.
There is no age for cycling
The group of 36 athletes aged 40 to 80 left on August 21, 2021 from Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, in the Allier. The small town of 5,000 inhabitants is the place of departure and arrival, scheduled for September 10, of a Tour de France consisting of some 2,640 kms and 20 stages.
Not enough, however, to impress amateur cyclists!
Jackie Brosseau, volunteer organizer of the event, highlights the friendly spirit in which the group operates:
“In the evening, they meet to eat and have a drink. They talk about their culture because they come from all over France. The proposed course also responds to a sporting demand with 33 passes and summits. They like to hurt themselves… ”
It’s not Philippe Vidal, from Cassis (13) and dean of adventure, who will say otherwise. The former single-seater driver, taking part in 120 Formula 3 races between 1963 and 1969, enjoys a vitality uncommon to his counterparts of the same age. He says, a glass of rosé in his hand:
“I like the hills, the extreme difficulties. When you climb a pass, it’s hard, it’s boring, but damn… it’s beautiful when you get to the top! “
According to Philippe, age is a question of mentality. “If you are athletic, you will stay young! he says, smiling. To become a cyclist, there are not 36 solutions. You have to do three outings per week for at least five years! “. Just that…
The welcome of the Cycloclub langonnais praised
Jackie Brosseau is full of praise for the welcome given to its participants by the Cycloclub langonnais:
“Today, we were served in terms of friendliness! Many members of the Cycloclub langonnais accompanied us between Langoiran and Langon. This gives morale to the organizers that we are. I can say that they are beautiful in Bordeaux and that they are good in Langon! Friends, take note that this tour exists and that you are welcome »
Gilles Lavandier, president of the Gironde cycling tourism committee, also welcomes the club chaired by Didier Desages:
“Langon responded present. I can regret that there are no other clubs coming to welcome you. It’s nice to see cyclists reunited after a complicated period. “
Didier Desages, president of the Cycloclub langonnais, takes the opportunity to salute the work of the federation:
“Really hat! All my admiration to the organizers and participants! We greatly appreciated this meeting, we like this conviviality. I would like to point out that this welcome drink is offered by the Cycloclub langonnais and only the Cycloclub langonnais »
Didier Desages indeed regrets the absence of the municipality of Langon in participating in the welcome drink:
“We will have the sad privilege of being the only city of the tour which does not participate in the reception of the federation”
A Landes in the peloton
Josette Capdupuy, 60, is the only woman in the group of cycle tourists.
She knows the organizers of the federation for having registered a few years ago at the Vél’Europe, an adventure of around 3,300 km over six years and connecting all the capitals of Europe with a planned arrival in Paris in 2024, future organizer of the Olympic Games.
“Unfortunately, the Vél’Europe was canceled because of the pandemic,” relates the native of the Landes. But this is only a postponement ”
Josette took three weeks off to survey the roads of the Tour de France organized by Jackie Brosseau. The one who has been cycling since he was 26 years old speaks of an addictive passion:
“It’s like a drug. Like people who drink or smoke, I need it “
It must be said that Josette has always been going to work with the strength of her legs, rain or shine.
“I cycle 60 km every day to work,” confides the indefatigable sexagenarian. I have competed in the past but that’s not what interests me today. It’s sharing. “
The Landaise left on August 18, 2021 from its department to reach, by bike of course, the small town of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule.
That is a little over 500 km in three days. She is keen on salute the work of the tour organizers : “It’s a monstrous job. The volunteers are great. “
As for the fact that she is quite alone in the midst of all these men, Josette smiles:
“I absolutely don’t mind. Our common passion is cycle tourism. Man or woman, we talk about what drives us: the bike. “
The cycling tour de France will pass through the towns of Biscarrosse, Biarritz, Salies-de-Béarn, Carcassonne, Nîmes or even Le-Bourg-d’Oisans, in Isère.
Langon wishes Jackie, Josette and Philippe to get back in the saddle without experiencing a pump stroke.
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