Here is an atypical cycling race! The priests, deacons, nuns and other members of the Clergy of France met on Thursday and Friday May 1 and 2, 2025 for the French cycling championship of the clergy.
This year, the race has chosen to return to basics in the town of Montoire-sur-le-Loir, the place of the first edition in 2000.
For this 25th edition, two stages are organized. The first: a race against the 13 km watch from Saint-Amand-Longpré. The second, a 10 km loop to make 4 times for women and 6 times for men, in Montoire-sur-le-Loir.
But beyond the sporting and spiritual dimension, the event is above all a desire for sharing. The 70 runners, including six runners, are housed among parishioners of the region. The Bishop of Blois celebrated a mass at the start of the two races.
Don Didier Marie de Lovinfosse, vicar general of Blois, is one of the “little hands” of the organization. Today spent on the other side of the barrier, 15 years ago, he swapped the cassock for the wader. He only retains happiness: ” I had not done a great time, I had to arrive 10th or 12th and at that time, we was only thirty. Today, there are even Protestant pastors who have joined us, it brings a really fraternal dimension. We take the pretext of a race to meet between religious. ”
After more than an hour of racing, Damien Meunier won first place for men, and Valentine Delafon comes out for women.
Link to Facebook video: https://fb.watch/zkxp0rpghu/
