Tadej Pogacar whirring to the summit in the middle of rivals repeating their lines and amateur cyclists enticed by the spectacle: welcome to the Rates pass, on the Costa Blanca, a “unique place” which offers a concentration of professional cyclists per km2 without equivalent in the world.
In December and January, the region between Valencia and Alicante, in southeastern Spain, is invaded by hundreds of runners, attracted by the mild weather, quiet roads and teeming hotels that roll out a red carpet for them. in the seaside towns of Calpe, Benidorm, Gandia or Denia.
Sixteen of the 18 men's World Tour teams have established their winter quarters there to prepare for the season, with some riders remaining there privately between two camps to take advantage of the conditions. Stars like the Belgian Remco Evenepoel have even bought an apartment there.
“Within a radius of 50 kilometers, 80% of the peloton is there at the same time in December and January, sometimes in February itself. It’s quite unique,” notes Philippe Mauduit, the race director of the Groupama-FDJ team, from the AFP.
When we add women's teams, lower division teams and even juniors, it quickly turns into a traffic jam.
“Just yesterday we were doing tests in the Rates pass. It was a highway for cyclists, there were them everywhere,” reports Spanish rider Alex Aranburu, new recruit for Cofidis. “Sometimes we have trouble doing the exercises because there are so many people,” adds French climber Valentin Paret-Peintre. “There are other places in Spain that are cool for riding. But everyone comes here. It's a fashion effect,” adds the Soudal Quick-Step rider.
– “Possible to see pros?” –
At peak times in the Rates pass, where Pogacar has just established the ascent record, we witness a crossover worthy of the month of August. Its regular slopes are ideal for professionals, who go up and down, to do their exercises.
In their wake, we often find amateurs who, like remoras, these “sucking fish” which attach themselves to sharks, try to hang on as best they can. “They join the pelotons, they follow as much as they can, they turn around because they come across another team. For us, it’s not disruptive. On the contrary, it gives a nice atmosphere,” assures Cursed.
This argument is put forward by cycle ride organizers. “I have a lot of people writing to me: is it possible to see pros?” says Iliana Roumenova Ilkova, a former professional Bulgarian ballerina who created Paradisebike13 to guide cyclists around Calpe.
“As I know a few runners, they tell me where they are going so I arrange for us to be there too. The other day we met Pogacar and Alaphilippe who said hello to me.”
According to her, the reasons for success are obvious: “the weather, the beautiful landscapes and safe roads with respectful motorists who know that cycling tourism is important for the local economy.”
The other side of the coin: in the village of Parcent, at the foot of the Col de Rates, “property prices have doubled”.
– “Rooms with a view” –
Further down, on the coast, hoteliers are rubbing their hands.
Thanks to the cyclists, who are added to the traditional British and Dutch retirees, they can keep their shop open all year round, with unbeatable group prices, around 50 euros for full board.
“We are very well received, with beautiful rooms with sea views, a very high level of catering, meeting rooms, at attractive prices. And for them, this allows them to maintain the employment pool “, underlines Philippe Mauduit who presents another advantage: “service to airports”.
“We are halfway between Valencia and Alicante, so that offers you a range of low-cost flights. In December, we go there with 120 people. If you pay 60 euros for your plane ticket instead of 600, it’s not the same impact for the budget.”
In Calpe, several teams often meet in the same hotels, which does not necessarily please all the runners, who are sometimes forced to look at each other like stone dogs.
Valentin Paret-Peintre prefers to remember that he can go for a ride and “have a coffee” with friends. “In competition I will do everything to beat them,” he insists. “But in training or at the hotel, they are first and foremost colleagues.”
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