It has been exactly three weeks since La Marmotte edition 2017 with Cycling Team Nekst IT. Now that we have processed all the experiences and the endorphin and adrenaline levels have returned to normal, it is time to look back on this special day!
In the course of Saturday the tension began to build in the Nekst IT Cycling Home. Everywhere, bikes were disassembled, the last parts were replaced, the setup was fine-tuned, bikes were polished, tires were inflated, clothes were laid out and everyone was sitting comfortably in their own bubble. In the evening, the right nutrients were consumed and on time to bed. Sunday…D-day…at exactly 05:00 the alarm went off and everyone was beside their beds in no time. Getting dressed, struggling to finish breakfast, loading up, checking ten times that we hadn’t forgotten anything…and then driving down the Alpe to Bourg d’Oisans. Everything to be maximally fit at the start and thus not waste energy descending the Alpe d’Huez before the starting gun is fired.
From the start it’s every man for himself, we even leave from different starting sections and all ride our own pace. We will have to do it all by ourselves today and see each other again in 174 km at the finish…hopefully with a medal and without having experienced crashes or other bad luck. During the first climb, the Col du Glandon, it is remarkably quiet while a total of about seven thousand people cycle up around you. You hear only the crackle of sports bars being opened, the squeak of improperly lubricated parts, the quiet breathing or panting of those around you. Focus, concentration, there is little talking…only by Italians…who, even on serious climbs, always seem to have breath left over for raunchy loud conversations. Arriving at the top of the Col du Glandon, it is cold and very foggy. Some food, drink, windbreaker, gloves on and down very quickly so.
After the neutralized descent of the Glandon and a reasonably flat part of the course, the ascent of the Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier follow. Especially that last one, it really hurts…the higher you get the colder and the steeper it gets. Even the Italians get quiet here..just panting, the thin air, people having to get off, recover and gather courage to get back on. In the distance you see the top…at the same time you see a seemingly endless garland of people in front of you moving at a slow pace toward that top…you realize how far you still have to go and all you can do is keep pedaling and never give up! The photographers along the side are hidden in thick ski suits, hats, gloves and we cycle by in shorts and short sleeves. We thought the summit of the Glandon was cold…the summit of the Galibier is nothing like it. Freezing cold wind…shivering people trying to find minimal shelter to drink and eat…also here only one thing; very quickly away and down again.
After all that effort…the seemingly endless descent of the Galibier…what a reward, what a gift. The views are magnificent and dazzlingly beautiful, it gets warmer and more pleasant with every meter of descent…maximum enjoyment until we reach the foot of the Alpe d’Huez fifty kilometers further on. The final test of the day; 21 turns, 13.8 kilometers and 1,061 altimeters to overcome before we reach the finish. From two degrees at the summit of the Galibier to twenty degrees on the Alpe, it’s hot, it’s hard, it’s maximum going deep….the spectators along the side of the road are fantastic and cheer us up. And then…the last turn, going under the last little bridge…on the big top pulling out one last sprint…the FINISH…what a release, joy, emotions and a big party!
Within a span of two and a half hours, we all crossed the finish line one after the other, happy, euphoric, exhausted, in one piece and thankfully all unscathed. If you meet the Marmotte time limit at all, you can win a medal depending on gender, age and finishing time. The trophy case of the La Marmotte Nekst IT Cycling Team (from left to right): Marco Kuijper: Silver, Berry van Ommeren: Bronze, AnneMarie Pieterse: Gold, Sacha Meijer: Silver, Cees Spek: Silver! A great achievement, a great day, a great adventure! Going very deep and getting up again, getting the most out of yourself, pushing boundaries, believing in yourself, not giving up and enjoying…that was La Marmotte edition 2017….on to our next Nekst IT cycling adventure! #whosnekst #whatsnekst #cyclingexcellence
