This morning of the interview, a chilly winter sun tries to warm up the athletes who are about to get on their cycle. A great outing before the holidays for members of the Croisian cycling club. “I hope we will have this time in a few weeks.”foresees its president Thomas Vaubourzeix. Because on the horizon, looms the first Tour du Golfe by Maxxis supported by the club, on January 18 and 19.
A major challenge and a sweet dream for this former professional. The initial ambition is very simple. “Propose a great cycling festival. We are confident”, thanks to an event which will guide athletes on the roads of the Gulf and a little beyond: a 110 km course which will give full credit to this first edition.
“These are my training routes”, reveals this native of La Croix-Valmer, retired from the professional world since 2019 and who today manages a snack bar in Gigaro. “I broke away from the world of cycling, but I have always ridden since then”, advances the one who started at the Avenir Cycliste Gassinois, “a very structured club for children, with Jean-Claude Morel and Christian Olivier”.
Bringing the territory to life
A vague idea for a race emerged in 2017, with another local club. Today, “mobility has become trendy”, notes Thomas Vaubourzeix and cycling enjoys good popularity in the region, bringing together “a small community” passionate people who are moving.
“We were considering asking for a subsidy from the municipality”just after the launch of the association in 2022.
“We said to ourselves that we had to offer something in return. We must be actors in this territorys’engage Thomas Vaubourzeix. We first imagined a race for children, then a Gran Fondo.” [randonnée sur route, longue distance]before focusing on this 110 km event.
With Marin Kaux, junior enduro world vice-champion, “we launched last January. We quickly got agreement from town halls for the circuit, the Cogolin company Tribe was very receptive. There are also the merchants of La Croix who play the game.” Global tire specialist Maxxis will support the race, a win “in credibility” huge. As for the arrival of some big names in cycling, still under embargo, this should give a nice spotlight to this tour…
Let us still reveal the name of the godfather of this first, the Irishman Nicolas Roche, son of Stephen Roche who put an end to his “pro” career in 2021 for new sporting adventures.
“A format that doesn’t exist is intriguing”
By their own admission, the duo “whip” hard right now: “It’s happening, registrations are increasing!*“. Their closing is announced for the evening of January 17.
Right now, “it is necessary to create the physical signage of the event”says Marin Kaux, co-organizer of this original event. And making yourself known is always the crux of the matter for a first sporting adventure. A communication phase to scour specialized stores and clubs in the region.
Mountain classification
To validate this project, the duo would like to convince between 250 and 300 participants to set off on a course.with an incredible panorama” et “a format that doesn't exist, that's intriguing”recognizes Marin Kaux. In order to spice up this 110 km competition supervised by 35 bikers from a Fréjus club, the organization has planned a few timed climbs for a mountain classification! Another originality, those who want to ride in groups can participate in a team ranking of three.
Finally, electrically assisted bicycles are accepted, but these riders will not be able to appear in the final ranking.
1. On Instagram: tourdugolfecyclisme
Landmarks
Saturday January 18
a village of exhibitors and food trucks will be set up on the Odyssée esplanade from Saturday. Among the specialists, Ekoï, based in Fréjus, a brand of equipment for cyclists. From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., collection of bibs and small trays intended to test the children's skills.
Sunday January 19
Departure of the 110 km race at 9 a.m., ascent towards Collobrières, Col du Babaou to continue with the Route des Crêtes.
– A second 35 km course has been planned, “fun and focused on discovering cycling” for a ride open to everyone and all types of bike, between La Croix, Col de Collebasse, Moulin de Paillas (Ramatuelle – Gassin) and return with a loop around La Croix-Valmer.
