Day 6: Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM
After yesterday’s biblically wet final stage everyone is hoping for drier conditions on the sixth and penultimate day - 209k from Valence to Greoux Les Bains. The peloton heads out for Stage 1 through Valence and are quickly into peaceful countryside with mountains off to the left, and mist rising from the vines and lavender fields.
The 53k stage - led by team Vectos - features a long steady climb for 20k followed by a fast swooping descent into a gorgeous valley walled by jagged cliffs, before picking up and following the river along the valley.
The next stage is a very long 58k led by Team Civic with 1282m climbing over three big climbs to Saint Auban sur L’Ouvèze. It’s sunny and there’s a gentle warmth in the air. The first descent winds through a narrow, twisting rocky gorge and is followed by a steep ascent with multiple tight hairpins and precipitous drop-offs that serve up views for miles. The group descends through olive trees and more stunning views before the third and final climb through orchards of cherry trees. We are deep in the Ouvèze valley, and the restaurant at lunch (huge servings of lasagne) enjoys views towards the pretty town of Saint Auban sur L’Ouvèze perched on the hilltop opposite which the cyclists then ride through after lunch.
Stage 3 to Banon is 49k led by Team Vectos and another 1000m of climbing. As before lunch, the cyclists are allowed to climb at their own pace, with a sizeable group deciding to stick together for the motivational tunes provided by the Ride Captains. The group hugs the side of the gorge as they climb the Col d’Aulan and then down the other side and past the Chateau d’Aulan.
After regrouping at the bottom the group rides on together into greyer skies with some rain and chilly temperatures. All day the climbs have been tough but not impossible thanks to the pre-event training everyone has put in. The stunning countryside is providing much in the way of visual enjoyment too.
At the final stop of the day, the riders don more layers, drink hot drinks and eat some pastries before heading out for Stage 4 to Greoux Les Bains, led by Team Lockton for the final 49k of the day. There’s a constant drizzle but it isn’t quite as antisocial as yesterday’s final stage. Dusk descends. The final climb of the day is a 5k ascent and a 5k descent into the hotel and the group works really well to keep together as they climb and make the final descent in the dark to the hotel. Over dinner, the current fundraising - an amazing £222,000 - is revealed. It is a huge achievement and welcome news as we head into the final day of Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM.
Watch EG Editor Sam McClary's video diary below.
If you’re able to sponsor the riders - even a small amount makes a big difference - you can do so here. Our fundraising total is currently an amazing £222,000 (thank you to everyone who has been donating!) and our target is £250,000. We are fundraising for a number of brilliant projects supporting vulnerable young people via Coram, Cyclists Fighting Cancer, MSA Trust and the Tom Ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust (Tom's Trust).
