Something’s Cooking In France: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ

The Tour de France may be the biggest bike race in the world, but there’s a little-known race in the heart of the Pyrenees you might not have heard of that, in my opinion, might just be better.

That’s right, La Route d’Occitanie, formerly known as La Route du Sud, is a third-tier stage race that sees up-and-comers and the occasional legend rip around the wild, rustic mountain towns of the Pyrenees a few weeks before the big show in July. No, it’s not the biggest race in the world, but it’s one of the most honest. Nowhere to hide, no massive plaudits: just heat, suffering, and craft. A real racer’s race. Just take stage four of the 2010 edition, for example: one of the toughest days in history won by a real racer…

With this in mind, I thought it would be the perfect place to send Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio p/b SHOKZ for stage three of their year of chasing the lesser-known but deeply loved races that the most passionate of fans get behind each year.

With the mercury tipping over 40 degrees Celsius, Harry & Stu were in for a scorcher as they made their way from Saint-Paul-Cap-de-Joux to Loudenvielle. Here’s what Harry had to say about their long weekend on the Euro barbecue:

Three races into our ‘b-calendar’ for LITPRR this season, and after spending an amazing weekend at La Route d’Occitanie, I’m now totally convinced that smaller races are the best way to get out and watch bike racing live.

You get the same thrill of a hundred pros whooshing past, but none of the endless road closures and angry policemen blocking the road, none of the jostling for position with other fans to get a glimpse of a flash of a bike or fleeting set of calves. Big races make everything much harder.

At smaller races, you get the best view in the house with no effort. You’ve got a better chance of chatting to the riders before or after the race, and everyone is much less stressed. The racing is still exciting, and the roads are still just as beautiful.

I loved listening to this ep and hearing some familiar voices – my old team mate and DS on EF Pro Cycling, Matti Breschel, and Robert ‘Wagi’ Wagner, another former team mate and one of my oldest friends from my racing days.

Now, I don’t like to pump my own tyres up, but I did actually somehow manage to win a stage of this race back in 2010, the final day from Lauvar to Castres. It was great to see the old Skil Shimano kit from that year dusted off and worn by Harry himself at the roadside – it even managed to get some TV time as Davide Piganzoli ripped past to take the overall win.

Guys, enjoy this ep. The sounds, the vibes, and the atmosphere over in France at this time of year are the perfect combination to get you geed up ready for the big one in July, but don’t discount a trip across yourself next year for the Route d’Occitanie; one of the toughest races on the calendar. Only real champions win here…and me.

Cheers,

Mitch

This Episode is sponsored by SHOKZ and Saily!

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