Luboš Seidl: French Divide 2020 #1
09. 08. 2020
Luboš Seidl starts at French Divide 2020
Since the beginning of the year, I have been preparing for the Italy divide in may (1200 km). already a traditional and always well-occupied race from Naples to Garda, which was canceled this year by a pandemic. another goal was the new Alaska Divide race (1700 km), which with the transfer of the pandemic to America also took over…then I searched for a long time for motivation and a new goal for this season. I didn't want to complete the Czechoslovak 1000 miles (1650 km) race for the third time on almost the same track.
However, there were still good chances at the Silk Road Mountain race in Kyrgyzstan (1800 km), but even here the pandemic was cruel. And so it happened that I signed up for the French Divide race, which runs diagonally across France the northernmost village of Bray-Dunes in Flanders on the border with Belgium to the Basque Mendionde in the Pyrenees on the border with Spain. just a stone's throw from the finish of last year's Iberica-Traversa race.
The total length of the race 2265 km and 32000 m elevation gain will be the longest race I have ever participated in and at the same time, I hope a bit of a good test for the dream Tour Divide which I would like to take part in in the future.
Due to the conditions of this year's strange season, there are various restrictions here, such as the cancellation of the meeting, mandatory curtains up to 1 minute before the start, but most importantly - an individual start after 1 minute. It starts in two groups. Most competitors start on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Competitors who ride on the order then on Sunday 9.8.2020. I will start almost as a last 9.8.2020 at 6:40 just a minute behind one of the main stars of this years Sofiane Sehili (winner of Italy Divide 19, Inka Divide 19, Atlas Mountain Race 20, and many other world races). Another interesting racer in the starting line-up is Lieven Schroyen last years winner of Bikepacking Trans Germany and other seasoned fighters.
I am curious how I will deal with the route and what will be my comparison with top opponents. Of course, I'm really looking forward to it, but I also have respect for what awaits me and what I will face.
Keep your fingers crossed for me and watch the race website http://www.frenchdivide.com/, live tracking of the race can be found at https://frenchdivide2020.maprogress.com/
Luboš Seidl
Equipment for the 2265 km long race:
Cycling shorts - PRESSURE-M, MURIA-M
Light T-shirt - COOLER-M
T-shirt long sleeve compression - DIVIDE-M
Jersey - CORRIDOR-M
Leg warmers - TEAK-U
Windbreaker - TIRANO-M
Rain jacket - HURRICANE-M
Rain pants - ALPIN-U
Gloves - REDBUD-U
Headband - COOLY-U
Scarf - DARLIN-U
Bag - CADENCE-U
Mascot - plyšový sobík Kilpík :-)