For its third edition, the cyclosportive – the only one in the department – does not change the date, still organized on Easter Sunday – April 20 this year – around the Saint-Sever arenas. It also does not change its two distances, carefully studied and tested by the organizers: the “Joriside”, the long 145 km course between Chalosse and Tursan, with its 2,200 meters of positive altitude difference, its steep course and its famous ” raiders”; and the “Dumartin”, the 85 km route, shorter and more affordable despite its 1,200 meters of altitude difference.
More than 400 runners expected?
“The Landes are not just pine trees and flat roads on which we drive at 50 km/h,” recalls Loïc Dartiguelongue, the association’s secretary. We managed to create something difficult, with courses that were out of the ordinary. » And to attract curious people from all over France, sometimes coming from Brittany or Lorraine to test themselves on “the most Belgian of the Landes classics”. After 250 participants on the two courses the first year, then 390 last year, the organizers aim to “always do a little better”, continues Philippe Cazaubon, who refuses to dream too big.
On the other hand, the non-timed hike (with authorized electric bikes) is disappearing this year, to preserve this “cycling tourism” spirit which appeals to purists. Despite competition from the Tour du Pays d'Orthe, scheduled for the same weekend. “We are competitive, but not only that, with this famous third cycling half,” says Florian Bernès, employee of the Mons store Cycles Pascal et Michaël, one of the partners of the event. Conviviality, the other objective of Cyclo Chalosse Tursan: “We have improved the meal and the welcome, as well as the signage,” indicates Philippe Cauzaubon.
La Joriside, the long 145 km route between Chalosse and Tursan, remains identical, with its 2,200 meters of positive altitude difference.
Matthieu Sartre
Like last year, companies that wish will be able to register for the dedicated challenge on one of the two courses, and the female and male winners of the two courses will be rewarded (3,500 euros overall prize). It remains to be seen whether Saint-Martinois Nicolas Labarère and Finistère Laure Gourcuff will be candidates for their own succession, registrations having been open since Thursday January 9. Seventy-two were already validated this Sunday evening. “We wanted to prove ourselves,” assures the former boss of Mons rugby players. And I think we’re doing them…”
