On July 13, Pierre Lugat, a member of Team Holyfat 2023, took part in the Race Across Switzerland. The program featured more than 500 km on a course as magnificent as it was demanding. 9,000 meters of elevation gain later, Pierre crossed the finish line in 26 hours and completed the podium! He tells us about...
“A leisurely start in town. As soon as I leave Lausanne, I get into my stride, catching up with quite a few competitors. And after 1h30, a competitor catches up with me (not a word… With his earphones in). I stay at my pace to attack the first big climb. At the top, we find ourselves on a very small road with cows. It’s simply a magnificent place. After a small descent, and a bit of valley along the Lac de Joux, you reach the Col du Mollendruz. There you see Lausanne in the distance and you say to yourself “that’s it for the end of the first loop. It’s going to be easy…” But no, it’s just up and down and the heat is overwhelming. Fortunately, the views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc help take my mind off things. I finish the first 200km loop rather fresh.
At the base camp, I eat and take my things for the night with arm warmers, a cap, gloves, an undershirt and a windbreaker.
The 300km loop (actually 335km) begins. The route is fairly smooth for the first few kilometers, up to the village of Baulmes. That's where things get serious. The climb to the Aiguilles de Baulmes is a nightmare. Sweltering heat, and not a single section with a gradient below 9%. Then we head to the Brévine Valley (also known as the Swiss Siberia). I pass through at sunset. I take the opportunity to stop to put on warm clothes and put white lenses on my glasses.
I continue my little journey, with a series of beautiful hills, each steeper than the last. Until I pass a Metal festival in the middle of nowhere in the Swiss Jura mountains. On the next climb, I find a pile of construction rocks to sleep a little. I set off again, finishing the passes of the 300 km loop. But I fall asleep on the long descent of the Col du Chasseral. Another quick sleep break is therefore obligatory, at the risk of ending up in the ravine. As I set off again, I find myself with the only team of 4 on the 500 km. They get me back on my feet. One last stop for a chocolate-filled croissant and then I head for the finish at an average speed of almost 30 km/h. Where I catch up with 3 competitors who overtook me during my sleep breaks.