This Sunday at 2:30 p.m., the last big race of the season will decide between Katif, defending champion, and François Martin, neck and neck in a competition which receives, among others, two golden kisses.
When, this Sunday, the last colors of Goro's ephemeral work have been erased, when the men in white enter to compete on the track with Ursul from the Cuillé manade, there is no doubt that, more than ever, the thoughts of a great a number of aficiouna will go to Manu Péro, who died in the last days of July at the age of 96. “He talked a lot about this 40th final in which he wanted to be able to participate”underlines, moved, Sylvette Farneti, current president of the Pescalune Trophy who will pay tribute to the creator of the competition at the end of the capelado.
A union of 7 bullfighting clubs
This Sunday, in fact, the Pescalune Trophy is lining up its 40th final. Moreover, when the show begins, we must also have a strong thought for Manu Pero's precious accomplices in this adventure: Alain Gautier and Gérard Géhin. These three crazy lovers of the Camargue, Lunel and bouvine imagined a competition capable of restoring the image of the San Juan arenas. Thus was born the Pescalune Trophy.
Becoming, in 2019, the Pescalune Manu-Pero Trophy, it now brings together 7 bullfighting clubs in the city and helps guarantee aficiouna the best bullfighting posters. “Lunel is a difficult audience, of connoisseurs. These arenas only deserve big races, says Sylvette Farneti, recognizing that, each year, for the finals, the different arena managers have always tried to bring in the big bulls and the big raseteurs. »
A competition that counts
A program which, according to the president, enabled the Pescalune Trophy “to become a competition that counts among the events of the major arenas in the region. » Sylvette Farneti also lists some of the talents that have marked her throughout the finals: she cites cocardiers Goya and Rami or raseteurs Patrick Castro, Christian Chomel, Sabri Allouani “and now Katif. »
There will be a big race again this Sunday from 2:30 p.m. for this 40th final. Because, after the capelado orchestrated by Patrice Blanc which will be joined by all the representatives of the Pescalune Trophy clubs, all the ingredients for a rich spectacle are there.
Castilla retains its title
As for the men in white first, the suspense remains. After five races, nothing is decided for the 2024 Pescalune title. If the outgoing Ziko Katif is in the lead (56 points), he is followed by François Martin (53 points) and even Vincent Marignan (44 points) or Youssef Zekraoui (42) are in ambush.
On the other hand, it is over for the best bull of the 2024 Trophy who will return, like last year, to Castella de la manade Saumade, biou d'or 2024 and 2023. It remains to be seen who, Ursul (Cuillé), Lucifer (Paulin ), Montego (Lautier), Derrick (Nicollin, biou d'or 2022) or Vicaire (Saumade) will win the title of best bull of the race. “It’s the last big race of the season and it’s worthy of an Ace trophy final. There will be a spectacle and the ephemeral fresco of Goro and, on the track, competition between raseteurs.
Two golden kisses in the second part
On the bull side, it's the biggest final of the Pescalune Trophy that I have ridden since I was in Lunel with, among others, two gold bious, Castella and Derrick, and Vicaire, the public's favorite”, summarizes Hadrien Poujol, race programmer for Maestria production.
