Sharing a Roc d’Azur event alongside Maxime Marotte and aboard a Rockrider 940S, this is one of the latest competitions that we are offering you. Cyril and Ludo, the two winners, shared a dream day with the French champion. We tell you all this in pictures:
The appointment for this very special day is given at dawn in the Decathlon Ford Racing Team stand at the Roc d’Azur.
A little reminder of the context for those who are more distracted: Maxime Marotte is preparing to retire from sport at the end of this season, after more than 20 years of thrilling us on the World Cup circuits. To celebrate, Rockrider and Vojo offered two readers the opportunity to share a very exclusive last outing with him on the Rando Roc Noire during this Roc d’Azur 2024.
The winners are here:
Obviously, this outing is not done on the handlebars of just any bike… Rockrider provided our two winners with a Race 940S, namely the latest full-suspension cross-country model to date from the brand and used by World Cup team drivers. The opportunity for them to test this new model, which seems to appeal to Cyril and Ludo. “ I would like to change bikes soon, and my flirtatious side makes me want to take an interest in this machine » confides the first; “ I work at Decathlon, and this Race 940S has been arousing my curiosity for a while now. », adds the second.
To make this day aboard the Race 940S ideal, Cyril and Ludo were entitled to a VIP service to fine-tune the settings of their bike of the day: Joseph de Poortere (product engineer) and Théo Mougenel (mechanic at Decathlon Ford Racing Team) responded this morning. The icing on the cake is that it’s Mr. Maxime Marotte who takes care of the pressures in person!
Just like coffee!
Beyond benefiting from their expertise on the settings of this Race 940S, it is also and above all the opportunity to discuss with one of the fathers of this bike, and to understand certain choices made by the brand.
A little souvenir photo in front of the stand, and on the way to the starting line!
Cheeeeeeeeese !
It’s difficult to go incognito when you’ve won the premier event several times…
One last instruction: ENJOY!
Even if it’s just a hike, the pressure of starting on the front line alongside the multiple champion can be felt slightly! 3,2,1…
By the time yours truly slipped through the peloton and caught up with our three men of the day, they were already testing themselves on the first climbs of the course.
Boss Marotte’s instructions: everyone has their own pace, and we regroup at the top of the hill if necessary.
A quick break at the summit before heading into the famous Fournel descent!
Ludo is at the head of the group and weaves through the traffic on this technical descent under the advice of Maxime Marotte. What a shock trio, it’s happening!
And we go back…
…to get back down better!
As we progress along the route, the scenery changes and we clearly see that we are moving deeper into the country.
We have already arrived at the Burnt Car refreshment station, about halfway through. Everyone fills up with water and small treats before leaving, and if the sweat is flowing in large drops, everyone has a banana (no pun intended)!
It is during this short break that the small team will be joined by Maxime Marotte’s colleagues: Emeline Detilleux and Greta Seiwald. The two female drivers are in full reconnaissance of the course for the next day’s race and mingle with the group during refreshment time. That makes it Rockrider per square meter! Nobody knows it at this stage, but Emeline is preparing for her victory the next day: Roc 2024 | Roc d’Azur: the chef’s surprise!
Emeline, Greta, Maxime, Cyril and Ludo: it’s okay, we’re complete!
It’s impossible to think of the Roc d’Azur without thinking of this popular climb: the Montée du Bougnon! Ludo’s legs are starting to grimace and he is suffering from a few cramps, but he can count on Maxime to give him valuable advice.
And it seems to work, the trio arrives at the heights and takes the next descent at full speed.
If Maxime takes the next kick on the bike, Ludo and Cyril put their foot down and finish him off on foot. Yes, it’s also one of the learnings of mountain biking: humility… especially when you’re alongside such a great champion!
And here is already one of the last descents of the day. “ The advice that Maxime gave us is really interesting. I can already see the difference on the bike », explains Cyril. “ I like to follow it, that way I see the right paths to take », adds Ludo.
No injuries, no mechanical breakage… Only smiles and lovely moments spent together on the bike. This day was a real success!
« Thank you Maxime for this day, you were great. You are an extraordinary athlete and it was an honor to spend this day in your presence » could be heard over the microphone of the finish line announcer.
Thank you Ludo. Thank you Cyril. This day was also a success thanks to you, your good humor and your passion for mountain biking!
A big thank you to Maxime Marotte also for his accessibility, his dedication and his authenticity. We wish you all the best for the rest of your adventures!
