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Le Mans 24 Hours Cycling

Third edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours Cycling Race will be held on the Bugatti Circuit, the 20th and 21st of August. The event is opened to everyone by teams of 2, 4, 6, 8 or solo riders. After Gérard Holtz in 2009, and Marc Madiot in 2010, the « Voice of Tour de France », Daniel Mangeas, will order the start this year.

About 1800 riders are expected in Sarthe, among whom the 1997’s World Road Cycling Champion, Laurent Brochard, still competitive thanks to athletism, running a marathon in two hours and thirty-six minutes! He does not aim to win the race but ride with a team of 6 riders for the association “Vivre ensemble Madesahel”, located at M’Bour in Senegal. The team wants to raise funds for building a school there.

Among the Auto racing drivers and after a great result in 2009 for Stéphane Sarrazin, Yvan Muller 2008’s and 2010’s FIA WTCC World Champion and Andros Trophy Ice racing’s record-holder for wins will take part in the event. His sport’s calendar was too busy before, but this year, he can’t imagine not trying this race: « I want to live an experience and a riding week-end with friends! ». Christophe Moreau, former professional cycling rider from 1995 to 2010, could take part in his team.

At the beginning of March, about 800 riders were already registered in the adventure. They come from far away: Colin Anderson is a solo cycling rider, he is 62 years old and will come from Palmerston North in New Zealand. Denmark and Scotland will also be represented this year.

Among contestants, cycling association’s members and company’s employees are well represented too, when they do not aim the performance, they want to live an exciting human adventure.

Photo Nicolas Cousseau