At the same time, after going to the place of departure where some members of my team are busy setting up the start, I start to rent in my mental preparation linked to my breathing, I go back in the groomer because it It’s cold, very cold and the wind is present reminiscent of 2015 but without the sun because the sky is indeed cloudy.

My departure is scheduled around 7:30 am, normally it is at this time that the sun covers the whole of the track, so it will be a white day bringing a less joyful note energetically speaking to everyone.

This white day due to the clouds is a definite handicap to performance, I have to take it upon myself and evacuate this problem to focus only on the action.

7:30 am Marc asks me to come to the start. The bike is already in place and all the members of my team are at their posts, everything seems well oiled, which reassures me and allows me better concentration. Eyes freeze, I feel it and see it, here I am one last time alone facing my destiny, what I have been looking for so much in developing this project.

I focus on my breathing, I look at the horizon, I’m in my bubble.

7:40 am Marc speaks on the talkie announcing: Eric is in place, are you ready for the stopwatch?

A restrained yes.

Marc looks at me, no more sound comes out of the mouths, we now communicate by looking. I blink to say ok, I’m ready to go. I take 3 deep breaths blowing like an animal, Marc says: Attention 3, 2, 1 GO!