the essential
Patrice Berges is behind the creation of the Jalabert, the 22nd edition of which will take place this Sunday, September 22.
Patrice Berges is not only known for singing (from Robert Charlebois to Luis Mariano), he had a (short) career as a cyclist and he is above all at the origin of the cyclo sportive la Jalabert. “In 2002, I was president of the UVM (Union vélocipédique mazametaine), I launched the idea of creating a cyclo sportive and calling it the Jalabert with Laurent’s authorization. The steering committee was not at all motivated but I forced their hand by adding the event to the calendar. There was no turning back.”
The first edition took place in August 2002 without Laurent Jalabert, who was held up by his professional obligations with the Plouay Grand Prix. He had just finished his 11th and final Tour de France. “The Jalabert route passed through Labruguière, Fontbruno, Les Martys, Cubservies and the finish at the Pic de Nore.”
A very popular cyclo-sportive event, thanks to its friendliness, its mid-mountain landscape and its post-race meal.
“One year, Jalabert was even voted the best meal of a cyclo…”
Having become an essential classic, the Jalabert attracts between 600 and 1,000 cycling enthusiast participants each year.
“As a consultant on the microphone for cycling competitions at France Télévisions, Laurent is not always available.”
In 2011, for the tenth edition, Laurent Jalabert won largely to the applause of the public upon arrival at the Jardin des promenades.
“I took care of organizing the first editions of the cyclo with the UVM team and it required a lot of investment before handing over to the late Claude Puech.”
His career as a cyclist was rather short, with the night-time event during the town’s festivals in 1985 to his name. Patrice stopped competing at the age of 23. “I trained with Laurent and the year he was world time trial champion in 1997, I trained him with a scooter and he followed me from Mazamet to Revel to Blan and back to Mazamet.”
Today, Patrice is an innkeeper at the Rialet, he has turned the page on cycling, but he still continues to sing.
The big new feature of the 22nd edition is the arrival of the three main circuits at the top of the Pic de Nore. Departures will take place at the Jardin des Promenades (avenue Albert-Rouvière) at 8:15 a.m. for the Laurent (120 km), 8:30 a.m. for the Nicolas (75 km), 8:45 a.m. for the Pitchoune (30 km), 8:47 a.m. for the E-Pitchoune (30 km) and at 9 a.m. for the cycle ride (40 km) and the hike to the footbridge. For each entry, €1 will be donated to the Téléthon.
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