The leaders did not tremble in the face of the difference in altitude. During the second stage of the BCN Tour in St-Aubin, Gabriel Sintes and Marion Monney were the fastest, like a week earlier in Marin. The Rochefortois won in 32’05”, ahead of Mirko Ratano (32’56”) and Julien Fleury (33’04”). Among the women, the Fribourgeoise won the race in 38’28”, ahead of Nathalie Geiser (39’06”) and Marcela Villalobos Martinez (40’45”).
Note that the start of the race was postponed to 7:30 p.m. (instead of 7:15 p.m.) and that the last ones arrived (running) just a few minutes before the start.
The second ones have their say
Mirko Ratano is the runner-up to Gabriel Sintes during the first two stages of 2024, and the best in the M20 category. In St-Aubin, the course was complicated: “It started with a nice climb, we already had to hold on. At the end of the big climb, I wasn’t very fluid. Mirko Ratano battled for a long time with Julien Fleury on this stage, but in the end, “it came down to the mind” according to him.
For her part, Nathalie Geiser admits to having had more fun on this course than on the “flat” stage of Marin. She, who dominates the W30 ranking, prepared for the 240m difference in altitude “I did a bit of intensity uphill during the weekend”. Nathalie Geiser is also aware that this year, first place will be difficult to achieve. “Marion Monney is really ahead of all the races we have done since the start of the year”
A first for inclusion
Earlier in the day, the first “Sport for All” race, certified by the Unified program, was held. It brought together around ten participants, including two in wheelchairs and two with strollers. The 1.2 km loop could accommodate everyone who wanted it. Sara Cotroneo, inclusive sport coordinator for the canton of Neuchâtel, was delighted with this first step. “We have increased the accessibility and distance of the route. »
The third stage of the BCN Tour will take place at the Lignières circuit on Wednesday May 8, with a 10.1km loop, for a difference in altitude of 255m. /swe
