This was the 4th time a YRC contingent had travelled over to France to take on this the most brutal of European sportives. I’d taken a real hammering last year in my first experience of riding in the high mountains, only surviving after being nursed round by super domestique Nigel Baldwin ‘aka Marathon man’ to a confidence crushing 12 hours 49 minutes. Some ‘gentle’ persuasion by Dave Dixon at the ride out dinner with words such as ‘you know it makes sense’ and all last years woes were forgotten, I was ready to have another go. A steady pre Marmotte sportive was entered with the Gran Fondo Campagnolo fitting the bill nicely. With this event, run off in slightly less than clement weather, complete, my preparation was done. A mid season transfer back to YRC after the near meltdown of the Bob Jackson Race Team would have me lining up in France back in YRC colours. A somewhat depleted team this year of only the real hardy were to make the trip with only Dave Dixon, Mark Hunter, Alistair Pickard and myself brave/foolish enough to take on the ultimate in sportive challenges. Most notable of names missing came in the shape, round that is, of sportive legend and intrepid YRC special reporter, Graham Heath, whose witty banter was sadly missed by all.

A smooth journey over, excepting the complete closure of the M1 for our drive to East Midlands airport, saw us arrive in Geneva in the pouring rain, a welcome that would continue to accompany us throughout our drive to Alp d’ Huez. Arriving late, about 9pm, we were shown to our apartment, which (with only two single beds and a double sofa bed) was a little cosier than what Dave had booked, with our fumbled French objections, seemingly, landing on deaf ears and hurting with hunger, we set off for a 1st night of pizza and Stella. Three or four pints later we set off back to our digs to find that we had been upgraded to an apartment that met the spec, buoyed by this and with the promise of better weather to come we settled in for the night. With Friday morning ushering in what was to be a blazing summers day, the ‘traditional’ 2nd day spin on the bikes and copious amounts of pasta took us on the eve of the event, where in the absence of a forecast for race day I rang Dicko to get a forecast from his trusty PC, quick as a flash Dicko reported that it would be ‘perfect’ riding conditions and that he fully expected us all to do PB’S. It was thus with a mixture of nerves, snoring, anticipation and Dicko’s expectant pep talk ringing in our ears, that we were guaranteed (and got) a near sleepless night.

With relatively low start numbers we set off in the first group of 2000 riders at 7.00am, Mark set a blistering pace and (as always concerned about unnecessary weight) ‘subconsciously’ ejected his new 60 Euro wind cape from his pocket within a mile of the start, leaving it as a souvenir for anyone brave enough to stop in front of a mass peleton heading towards the Croix der Fer. The first part of the Marmotte is all about trying to conserve energy, eat and drink as much as possible and stay alive on the descent of the Glandon. It’s only upon reaching the Galibier via the col du Telegraphe that the fun starts, the sun beats down as you crawl along the valley slowly rising upwards, and then it hits you as the road disappears up to the right in what looks like miles of 1 in 10 you know the real pain starts here! The silence is deafening all the way to the top with everyone looking straight down hoping the end will come soon.

The Descent off the Galibier is fast but dangerous at the top, with a few tunnels thrown it takes 1 hour plus to reach the last feed station and the foot of Alp d’ Huez. Where I met up again with Dave Dixon and we started the climb together, our dual never materialised though as I was flagging by hairpin 1 and as Dave disappeared up the road I set myself in for a steady grind. Up ahead Mark, despite suffering from his perennial computer problems, had stormed round for a gold standard winning 8.00.48 followed in by Ali with 8.26 for another gold. Dave Dixon narrowly missed a deserved gold by 2 minutes with 9.17 after waiting for me at the top of the Galibier, As for me, a 2 hour ascent of Alp d’ Huez saw me home in 9.52.

As we enjoyed a relaxing beer at the top, some 3 ½ hours later, riders were still arriving to cheers and cowbells ringing, some close to tears! No doubt though once they’ve recovered they’ll be willing to go through it all again as I’m sure they’ll be another YRC contingent on the start line next year to have a go at Europe’s hardest sportive ride.

Dave Meakin vows to take the top step next year

La Marmotte 2007 archive