Thursday, July 21, 7:30 a.m. The tenors arrive at the CP 1, completely soaked after having to battle with a heavy rain and cold conditions, between Namur and Coo. It was high time for them to stay dry for a break, and drink a coffee made in @Le Coffee Ride.

Already significant gaps are widening and small groups cross the pedal on the best of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Rosier, Ferme Libert, Stockeu, Wanne, Amermont, they are everywhere trying to survive the Monster traps.

CP 1 pics by @Fatpigeon.cc .

In the morning of July 21, after a terrible rain, the situation had already cleared. On the front of the race, a leading trio emerges with Kristof Declerck (BEL), Martijn Henneau (BEL) and Yves Conen (BEL). They are firstly followed by Valentin Mussehl (GER) and Antoine Regnard (BEL), then by the FatPigeon Team (Nol van Loon & Jeroen Rombouts, NL). Mark ten Cate (NL) brings up the rear of the first chasing group.

Beyond that, warriors are fighting the Monster across the Liège-Bastogne-Liège area. On the heights of the Ardennes, the show goes on. The middle of the pack, led by Gilles Gauret (FR), crosses the pedal from Stoumont to Malmédy. Julio Gref (BRA), Simon Geerts (BEL), Diego Van Lede (BEL), Stijn Planckaert (BEL), Jonathan Grosdent (BEL). Not far away, Robbert van Veldhuizen (GER), Sven Iliaens and Marco Jacobs (BEL) finished with the Ferme Libert, while Ludovic Dujardin (BEL), Benoît Hansez (BEL), and Frédéric Verscheure (BEL) threw themselves into if head first.

Kevin Shaffer (USA) and Vincent Bourgeois (BEL) slide down the Fagnes plateau while the Gruppetto brings up the rear : Stéphanie Schmitz (BEL), annoyed by mechanical issues the first night, and Berten De Meyer (BEL), having slept at the hotel, form the Gruppetto.

At midday, Martijn Henneau goes alone and leads the bunch, he’s followed by all the pursuers that ride in single file with discipline, the group being more homogeneous. They arrive at Belgium’s second highest point: the Baraque de Fraiture. The gap with the second group widens : bodies are becoming tired, and the second squadron seems to take some rest at the Coffee Ride CP1 of the Monster.

The day progresses and nothing seems to stop the fight. The Monster is attacked from all sides but defends itself fearfully. So much that some have to retreat and come back stronger afterwards. The FatPigeon, for example, who set the pace at the start of the race, need to regain their strength in Durbuy. At the end of the afternoon, a chocking race fact happens : the Monster takes its first victory. He knocks Robbert who was rolling at a constant pace on the Ardennes slopes. The first soldier has fell.

Warriors have almost 24h of cycling, a sleepless night, and nearly 36h of awakening. Their lucidity becomes hesitant to such an extent that they have to find reason : Diego van Lede and Simon Geerts admit that they should not hesitate to slow down and close the eyes for a few moments. Two examples among the peloton, because many of them will have to take a rest.

In the early evening, while Stéphanie arrives at the Coffee Ride (CP1), Martijn is already completing the Lucifer Section and setting the first time at CP2, Panache, La Roche-en-Ardenne. The leading group keeps going and pushing hard, avoiding the Monster’s traps : Col de Haussire, Mur de Maboge, Côte de Saint-Roch in Houffalize. Nothing can resist them. The gaps between the top 6 are minimal and the suspense is huge. The leading quartet is held in just 30 minutes at halfway.

Between 8pm and midnight, energy reserves are depleted. The Monster’s breath remains heavy while Heroes must gradually recover. Thus, they decide to stop one after the other when the night falls. However, some brave riders keep going : Frédéric, Vincent, Ludovic, Dievo, Julio continue to ride until the first part of the night. Some, exhausted, lay down their arms while others wake up and resume fighting : at 3 pm, the FatPigeon leave Durbuy, Jonathan, Gilles, and Simon take off towards the Col de Haussire, and Stijn Planckaert goes back on his saddle not far from the Brasserie d’Achouffe.

The sun rises over the Ardennes hills on the 22th of July. Although the leaders are already in the second half of the route, pursuers Heroes arrive sparingly at Panache – Bike & Sleep. Suddenly, although she already faced mechanical problems in the early start, Stéphanie now has to manage a navigation issue. She takes a wrong direction and has to ride back and go up the never-ending Côte de Samrée. Nearly 3 additional hours of riding that cost her a lot of energy. But more is needed to discourage her. Stéphanie is determined as never, and nothing can stop her.