Hi Robert, Helen and Michael.
Confession, some believe, is good for the soul. I am starting with a private confession in this somewhat public space.
From an early age I was captivated by sport: all my life I have been a keen student of, and active participant in, a range of sports. My performance in sport, however, can only be described at best as moderate. I have a great passion for cricket, which I regard as the greatest sport of all, but was at best a C grade cricketer. I ran six marathons without ever reaching the three hour benchmark that defines a capable amateur. I made myself into a competent first-class umpire, enjoyed the role immensely, but did not progress to international level. Later I took up cycling: the sport has given me some magical moments and great satisfaction, but without distinction. Further, my cancer treatment has hindered my sporting performance in recent years through a permanently low red blood cell count which results in reduced oxygen in my body. As a marathon runner I had harboured hopes of participating in a major international event – Paris, Berlin, London perhaps – but I made a priority of other responsibilities until my knees gave out. So the opportunity to attend a world cycling event at the age of 65 seemed almost too good to be true and I was not going to pass it up.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) holds a Gran Fondo – a world event for amateur riders – annually, three years out of four in Europe and the fourth year on one of the other continents. Riders must qualify to participate by riding one of 15 qualification events around the world and achieving a qualification standard; I managed that at the Graperide in Marlborough last March.
The designated host for the 2017 event was Albi in southwest France, which fitted well with our mid-year travel plans. In promotional material the race is billed simply as the UCI Gran Fondo, but once I had decided that I wanted to participate, it became in my mind my “world championship”, though I did not voice that thought aloud. Imagine then my delight to walk into the central square of Albi to find the gantry over the start line featuring the words “Championnats du Monde”. At last I was able to speak the words: it was a world championship, I had qualified, I was in Albi, and I was excited!
There were just under 3,000 competitors in Albi from 53 countries. The United Kingdom (772), France (284) and Australia (255) provided nearly two-thirds of the participants. New Zealand contributed 54 competitors, the tenth largest contingent.
Albi is a medium-sized provincial city – a population of about 50,000 – which proved to be ideal for an event of this size. It is called an episcopal city because in medieval times it was ruled by a bishop: the cathedral and the Bishop’s palace were the spiritual and political centres of the city. Albi has given its name to the Albigensian crusade, military attacks on the heresy of Catharism in the Middle Ages; this accounts for the fortified appearance of these buildings which still tower impressively over the city and the river Tarn.
The course for the road race was designed to show off the most beautiful aspects of the Tarn region, starting beneath the towering walls of the cathedral in the city centre. The region consists of limestone plateaus cut through by the gorges of the Tarn, Aveyron and Vère rivers. The course undulates up and down into fertile valleys and over forested plateaus, finally opening up to expansive views over the countryside. The region is dotted with “bastides” – medieval fortified towns often occupying spectacular sites.
The road race was held on Sunday morning. My group, 142 men over 65, started the 97 km course at 9.19 am. The south of France was in the midst of a heat wave; temperatures rose during the morning to 35°. The heat affected the field more than the 900 meters of climbing. I finished the race in 3 hours and 9 minutes averaging 30.7 kph, and very satisfied with my effort. The group winner finished in 2 hours and 35 minutes, so about 40 minutes covered the age group. As expected of an international field, the quality of the participants was high: the first 40 riders in the age group finished within a minute or two of the winner. I finished in the last 10% of the group.
The atmosphere at the finish line was relaxed and convivial; the host city provided a meal. The medal ceremonies were held in the afternoon, beginning with a standing ovation for the first ever winner of the 105+ age group; Frenchman Robert Marchand aged 106 completed a 20 km course to win a rainbow jersey, a gold medal and the customary flowers. The host country dominated the medal table, French riders winning 19 of the 54 medals in the road races. New Zealand won three: David Rowlands, Sharon Prutton and Bronwyn MacGregor.
The Albi event was the biggest in the history of the event, proving that it is growing in popularity. It is a unique event, catering for those aiming for the podium as well as those who want to do a personal best in international company. Albi was a delightful host city, a wonderful atmosphere prevailed over the four days, and I had the time of my life.
Would I do it again – Varese in 2018, Poznan in 2019? You bet!
