Albi world champion hangs up his bike

After setting two cycling world records in the last 5 years, Robert Marchand has decided on medical advice to retire from serious cycling. He had successively set the world best distance covered in one hour: 20 kms. Cyclists amongst you will say "what, only 20 km", but as Robert set his records aged 100 and 105 it's a fair achievement. He is the only cyclist to be acknowledged in those age brackets, but we guess his records will stand for some time.

3000 cyclists in the Tarn

Photo: Lavandiera jr/ MaxPPP

Starting yesterday - Thursday - over 3000 amateur cyclists will be starting various events in the World Amateur road cycling championship - the Gran Fondo. Held in Australia last year this year's event is based at Albi. After a contre le montre at the Albi circuit, today has a team relay starting at the cathedral, Saturday is a leisure day (though many attractions in the streets of Albi will be held) and Sunday has two road races of 155 and 97 kilometres. These races will cause a good deal of traffic disruption around the area, starting at 8.30am and finishing at the circuit at 15h (3pm).
Full details can be found on the event website http://www.albi2017cycling.eu/node/110

La Vuelta starts in Nimes

The last of the major cycling road races for 2017, La Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) gets under way in Nimes tomorrow (Saturday 19th August), starting outside of Spain for only the third time. A contre le montre (time trial) in teams, rather than individuals, is the first stage. Then a long stage across the plains of south west France, before stage 3 heads into the Pyrenees, ending in Andorra.
All the major teams and riders are taking part, including Tour de France winner Chris Froome, French hopeful Romain Bardet, Alberto Contador as well as Aru and Nibali, winners of two of the last three Vueltas.
So be wary of traffic problems around Nimes this weekend if you are off to the Med, or get your bike out for a last chance this year to see the top riders.
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A vos velos!

The "geant" at the summit

Tour de France aficionados will recognise the giant figure of a cyclist at the summit of the mythical Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees. The statue has been there for nearly 100 years, but is brought down to winter in Bagneres de Bigorre and each spring is taken back up to the summit.
Tomorrow (Saturday 3rd June) cyclists are invited to join in the 2115 metre climb with the statue on his annual transhumance. The ascent is not timed and open to all, but to qualify for refreshments at the summit you must register at the Hotel de Ville (mairie) from 8am. The ascent starts at 9h30 with musical accompaniment and the welcome will open at the summit at 11h30.

Cycle hire

Hello Val

We have some visitors expected in July this year who are keen cyclists. We are based near Parisot and wondered whether you knew of a cycle hire facility in the area. Many thanks.

Liz

Val says let us have your suggestions please.

There are two sets of people who do cycling holidays but not sure if they also hire bikes, and I have a French friend called Laurie who has "velos de Josette " she is in St. Antonin

Val

taglines82@gmail.com

Liz, je fais effectivement de la location de vélos sur St Antonin, JE vous invite à consulter mon site internet www.lesvelosdejosette.com ET à me contacter pour des renseignements.Peut être que je pourrais trouver une solution pour vous.

Hi Val

 

There is a cycle hire shop in Limogne just down from the church.  It hires all types of bikes and has been established quite a few years now.   It is not open all the time in the winter but I will have a look next time I go down and see if there is a contact telephone number advertised.

 

Wendy

 

This cyclist was "clean"

Drug taking by cyclists has plagued the sport for years, but a young Belgian cyclist taking part in a cyclo-cross championship has no truck with such cheating. So imagine her surprise when her state of the art bike was discovered by officials to have - an electric motor.
Hidden inside the frame the motor aided the rider to keep speed over more difficult terrain.

Femke van den Driessche

Femke van den Driessche was taking part in the youth World Cyclo Cross championship on Saturday and when her bike was subjected to a spot check the motor was discovered. She claims that it was not her machine, but the identical model left in her van by a friend and cleaned and prepared in error by a mechanic. Taglines is no expert on a bike, but two "identical" models? Same seat and handlebar height; same gearing setting; same weight; no personalisation. Ms van den Driessche faces a tough time convincing the enquiry and risks suspension and a hefty fine.
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