In news from Team Cyanosis, team navigator Nicholas Mulder says that the Raid Bimbache start has been postponed by a few hours to midday Tuesday.
“This is to give the organisers a bit more time after some major organisational hurdles after yesterday, when the existing race director disappeared,” he says. Antonio de la Rosa, creator of this event, sold his organising company this year to focus on his upcoming trans-Atlantic rowing trip. He has taken over once again to ensure that the event proceeds. The local city council and volunteer marshals are also standing by him so the teams are still looking forward to a quality race.
“There will be a couple of small route changes to accommodate resulting logistic problems. The first kayak has been changed to a trekking leg, so teams will now proceed down the coast on a long 38 km leg to the original landing point. Snorkeling / swimming has also been taken out of the equation. From that first transition, the original course remains, which means a 160km cycle into the Pyrenees to a ski resort called Ballter. Teams have been warned that the original 11-hour fastest time for that leg was very optimistic. “
The only other notable change is later on the race, when teams will get to a trekking leg with an unassisted bike stop transition. Support drums will no longer be here, so teams will need to cycle with trekking shoes before completing the trekking loop that will take them back to their bikes. Kayaking (only 33km in total now), SUP and Via Ferrata (on the last leg) all remain part of the course.
“We’re looking forward to this race. There will be some tough competition against a couple of Spanish teams, one or two French, as well as the Swiss,” says Nicholas.