Club Peloton Ride to MIPIM - Day 5 – Latest
Day five of the Legal & General Real Assets Cycle to MIPIM began with some magical moonlit cycling and a beautiful sunrise for the Folkestone route riders, whilst the Portsmouth route riders enjoyed an extra hour in bed (the luxury!) and left in the early morning light. Both routes headed straight out of Valence and into the landscape of Provence, and through some of the best scenery in the south of France: from the Renaissance grandeur of Grignan, through lavender fields and vineyards, to the afternoon treat of the medieval village of Bonnieux.
The first two morning stages were lovely and lumpy and, combined with a lack of rain (we know, we were surprised too!), there was great riding from everyone. The peloton on each route is looking slick and working well together, even completing the climbs as one. Teams Elliott Wood and Lee Baron (Group 1), Pitman Tozer and Webb Yates (Group 2), and HTA and Piccadilly Gardens (Group 3), have all taken turns on the front of each stage today, while on the Portsmouth route, the stage after lunch was led out by the ladies, who executed ‘through and off’ with great flair and precision.
The much-loved climb to Bonnieux during stage 4 was as beautiful as ever and the riders were treated to some impressive views across the vineyards before an “exhilarating” descent into Cadenet for the final stop before Aix en Provence. The day was topped off to perfection when everyone arrived at their respective hotels to find welcome drinks sponsored by AHMM REFUEL, which kicked of the celebrations of the final night in style. Just one more day and only 180kms to go to Cannes!
Carol Homden, CEO at Coram came to speak to the riders and crew at dinner and the grand total so far of the Legal & General Real Assets Cycle to MIPIM and the Northern Power-Leg was revealed as... £564,000 (£626,000 including Giftaid). Still lots to come in and the target for this year is £750,000 so please keep supporting the riders and encouraging people to sponsor them!