Transe Gaule started at Roscoff on the northern coast of France on Tuesday. This annual event runs to Gruissan on the mediterrean some 1100 km through the heart of France.
After a year of pause, the Transe Gaule is back this summer for a 12th edition that will hit the road on 9 August. Its traditional Manche-Mediterranean route between the Lighthouse of Roscoff and the beach of Gruissan Chalets, about fifty participants signed for sports holidays that promise them 1190 kilometers of asphalt to negotiate 19 steps on the small roads of the Douce France .
In this 2016 squad, eleven nations (and 4 continents!) Are represented. If 40% of registered foreigners are among the 31 French registered the best represented this year the department will … the incomparable “29”, with no less than 7 riders. This observation may seem logical since the start of the race will be given, as every year, on the banks of Roscoff.
But we must remember that no Breton rider had participated in the first two editions of the Transe Gaule and it was not until the 3rd edition, in summer 2005 to host the first two regional pioneers, Finistériens Marcel Milin ( Cléder) and Gerard Denis (Fouesnant). The latter, at age 72, also will participate this year for the fifth time at the crossing (he also participated in four other editions in the staff and volunteers through 3 other times France with two Mil’Kil and Loire Ultimate).
Among those who already run the Transe Gaule successfully, there is also the return of Malou and Yves Lebas Duquesne, Lesneven, just ten years after their first appearance in 2006. During their journey they will carry both the colors of the association “An Oasis for multiple sclerosis” with Malou Lebas is president.
7 Finistériens committed Malou Lebas, Lesneven, Gerard Denis, Fouesnant, Yves Duquesne, Lesneven, Philippe Gallou, former Johnnie Santec (lies in the Sarthe) Xavier Mauban, Santec (resides in the Yvelines) Thierry Michel, Châteaulin ; Christian Perhoc, Plourin-les-Morlaix (lies in the Landes).
Côtes d’Armor will also be represented by Gwen Quéant (Pédernec, 4th participation), the Morbihan by David Le Broc’h (Hennebont) and the Loire-Atlantique by Fabrice Viaud (Rezé, 8th participation) and Patrick Poïvet (Mauves-on -Loire, 2nd participation) to be one of the favorites of the 2016 edition after winning the Ultimate Loire in 2015. it is still waiting for the representative of the Ille-et-Vilaine declares …
The Transe Gaule 2016 will follow its usual route to cross the Britain in 5 days and will step Plounévézel, Pontivy, Guer and Chateaubriant before crossing the Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire. Follow two full weeks in the fresh air that will enable riders to use their soles on the roads of Anjou, Limousin, Auvergne and Langudoc-Roussillon.
Grand old pioneer and survivor of the first edition, the Texan Donald Winkley, 78, will leave for his for his 12th crossing of Gaul. The sponsor of this edition will be the late Jean-Jacques Moros, triple winner of the event (2004-2011-2013) and the first 4 stages of the 2014 edition.
Mayor of Roscoff, official starter of the Transe Gaule since the first edition of 2001, lower the flag Tuesday, August 9 shortly after 8 hours.
Yanoo.net