This is what we call the icing on the cake. There’s the same whipped cream on top! The snow-covered mountain of the Jade Dragon is the symbol of Granfondo Yunnan. This is the stage for climbers, generous and offensive cyclists. Story of the 7th and last stage of the Granfondo Yunnan 2019.
Lijiang, a major tourist attraction
The city of Lijiang culminates at an altitude of more than 2000 metres. It’s a postcard decor. The passage is mandatory if you come to visit the Yunnan region. The day after the event, I spent a day in the peaceful streets of the old town. Officially on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, I feel like I’m in another era. I’m showing you around.
Thank you to the tea seller who offered me the drink and offered to come to the roof of his house to have a unique view of his city;
November is the quietest time to visit LiJiang.
Shopping, eating at open canteens,
See dance performances,
Strolling through the streets
And posing in front of the water mill are rituals;
At the attack on Jade Dragon Mountain
Housed in room 1209 of the Guanfang Hotel, Elijus and myself before a view as magnetic towards the summit. This day before the race, we are between the excitement of leaving again and the little melancholy that tomorrow is the end. We have an objective to confirm. Stand on the second step of the team podium and give the best.
7th in 2017, 8th in 2018, the stage qualified “The Sky Ride” has been a success for me for 2 years. This high mountain course requires strength, boldness, and a certain ability to tolerate lack of oxygen.
You have to like the cold. If this edition is exceptional with a temperature close to 10 degrees at the beginning, the previous editions were below 5 degrees.
The first kilometre is neutralized. I am the attacker of the first minute. From experience, Boldness can pay off in the last days. I manage to get a 1-minute lead but as I approach the first Dragon Hill Pass. I’m being taken back;
I take the opportunity to lead with strength the ascent that will follow. There are about twenty of us. The running pace is faster than last year.
Under the rhythm of China’s best climber, Li Yu Heng, he makes me exceed my anaerobic limits. I’m starting to answer. With lucidity, I manage my break of the race head in favour of the long descent and technique that is coming;
On the descent, I start my comeback ahead. The operation is not free of charge.
I feel like I’m doing Julian Alaphilippe’s fantastic descent into the Galibier pass again.
In the descent, there are falls. You have to be careful. I am confident about my new S-Works Turbo RapidAir.
The last ascent
<I’m throwing my last forces to cross the line.
My friend Stefano Dall’Aglio and Kris congratulate me. I am again finisher by achieving such a great performance on my raw data again. I am 18th in 3h33. The ranking shows the increase in the level of riders this year;
La Vedett !
A nice idea. Vedett partner of the granfondo Yunnan offers beer as soon as you cross the line. Be careful, it makes your head turn after so much effort;
View route on Strava
The ceremony takes place in Lijiang. Our team is rewarded for its performance. I am happy to have convinced my Lithuanian friends to come, Glen Bull from Qatar and invited Benoit Rivals to shine La Ronde Tahitienne.
Results
Elijus Civilis was our leader ranked 8th overall. Marius (14), Martynas (16), myself (17) and Glen (19). Our team was strong and consistent.
A toast to our leader’s favorite drink.
| OPos总名次 | No编号 | Share 分享 |
Name姓名 | Time大会时间 | Bonus奬勵時間 | Category组别 | CPos组别名次 | Time Behind時間差 | GPos性别名次 | Team Name队名 | Country/Region国家/地区 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
|
Myagmarsuren Basaankhuu | 17:23:49 | -00:00:45 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 1 | 1 | Team UGLOW | MGL | |
| 2 | 351 |
|
李玉恒 Li Yu Heng | 17:32:02 | -00:00:09 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 2 | 00:08:13 | 2 | 昆明自行车队 | CHN |
| 3 | 84 |
|
Josh Bauer | 17:38:37 | -00:00:45 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 3 | 00:14:48 | 3 | RideNow Race Team | USA |
| 8 | 131 |
|
Elijus Civilis | 18:05:03 | -00:00:09 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 8 | 00:41:13 | 8 | Team Allons Rouler | LTU |
| 14 | 133 |
|
Marius Ratkevicius | 18:20:34 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 14 | 00:56:44 | 14 | Team Allons Rouler | LTU | |
| 16 | 132 |
|
Tamulis Martynas | 18:27:48 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 16 | 01:03:58 | 16 | Team Allons Rouler | LTU | |
| 17 | 130 |
|
Nicolas Raybaud | 18:30:13 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 17 | 01:06:23 | 17 | Team Allons Rouler | FRA | |
| 19 | 129 |
|
Glenn Bull | 18:36:10 | Male Open 男子公开组 | 18 | 01:12:20 | 19 | Team Allons Rouler | AUS |
My results on the Granfondo Yunnan 2019
- MangShi Prologue : 24th in 15’56”
- Ruili: 44th in 2:29:30
- YingJiang: 29th in 3:16:09
- TengChong: 22nd in 5:59:53
- Dali: 20th in 2:55:15
- Lijiang: 18th in 3:33:28
To conclude
Since 2012, I have fallen in admiration for Asia. From Thailand, through Taiwan, Mongolia and Yunnan, I come back every year with new ambitions. I never get tired of travelling;
I forget everything I think I know and take a fresh look at everything. I remain eternally amazed.
The granfondo Yunnan has nothing to envy to the western cyclosportives. In my opinion, this is the very definition of cycling for all, accessible both for the price and the varieties of the routes.
One of the strong points of this event is the organization and investment of local administrations and the population. Eyes up on the facade of the Guanfang Hotel to see the promotional video of the granfondo yunnan. It’s Time Square in the middle of Lijiang. We are evolving from roads totally reserved for cyclists with hand-given supplies during the stages.
From November 7 to 14, 2020, if you wish to join me on the Granfondo Yunnan, it is with pleasure that I will guide you.
Useful links
- Photos of the step on www.biketo.com
- The official website www.granfondoyunnan.com
Comments