Mountain biker Lucas Duveaux unlucky in Belgium
Mountain biker Lucas Duveaux (Cycling club Ornans, living in Osne-le-Val) was engaged on August 21 at the Chouffe Marathon, in Belgium, in Achouffe. On the program, there were 95 km, with 2,750 m of elevation gain, on a rolling but fairly rough circuit.
“After a good start to try to move up places because I was placed quite far on the grid, at the top of the first climb, I managed to move into the top 40. I do a full race, all in management, in order to be as regular as possible and to catch up with the runners at the end of the race. And it’s chosen done, I finish 14e scratch on about 400 and 2e in the under 23 category.Lucas explains Duveaux, who finished the race in 4 h 16′ (22 km/h average over the 95 km).
It’s the kind of circuit that Lucas Duveaux likes, fast, with short but steep climbs, not very technical descents, but the ground remains brittle and wearing. “I’m happy with my race, this season I haven’t had great results and this race is good for my morale. »
Then, on Sunday September 11, the Haut-Marnais returned to Belgium, to Bouillon, on the Grand Raid Godefroy (120 km with 3,800 m of elevation gain). “My aim is to win the race in the under-23 category. From the first meters, I try to place myself with the leading group. After 13 km, the strongest men leave little by little, I am in a group for the 10e place a stripe. »
“The podium would have done me good”
The kilometers pass and his legs are unlocked little by little. He sent that he is fine and is waiting for the end of the race to try to catch up with the riders in the last hour. “Unfortunately, after 4 hours, I cut my rear tire, probably a piece of scrap metal hidden by the leaves, I couldn’t see it. My tire is so damaged that I cannot repair it on my own and the recovery zone being 10 km away, I am forced to retire, when I was 7e and 1uh under 23 years old. I’m disappointed because getting on the podium would have done me good. »
Next Sunday, he will return to Belgium for the last round of the championship, on the 100 km Bocq raid, in Godinne, with a feeling of revenge.
Next year, the mountain biker will participate in the entire Ardenne marathon series championship, which consists of around eight courses.