Orrington cyclist Marcel Bastide wasn’t sure what to expect when he competed in the road cycling world series qualifier for the Gran Fondo World Championships in late May in his hometown of Albi, France.
It was his first international competition after a five-year lapse due to a knee injury but Bastide showed off the form that led to several medals in the National Senior Games. He finished third in the 70-74 age category and qualified for the world championships in Perth, Australia.
“My goal was to test myself against the French and European top guns, 23 countries were represented, and decide if it was worth training for the 2017 world event which is going to be hosted by my birth town, Albi,” the 72-year-old Bastide said in an email.
His finish showed he should undergo the training and he will bypass the 2016 championships to concentrate on the 2017 event.
“I have 10 months to prepare and set achievable goals,” said Bastide, who resumed training last fall. “A balance of hard work, five days a week, and good rest, coupled with a wise nutritional plan, will improve my overall fitness.”
Bastide will use the training time with the goals of seeking qualifying spots in road race and time trial in 2017.
“A trip to Australia requires much planning, and I am not yet quite ready to compete at that level,” he said. “I used the opportunity of the qualifier for Perth as a test to see where I stood in such company, and if it was realistic to envision participating in 2017.”
Bastide, who had not competed since May 2011 in Houston, found that he still relishes competing.
“For me, racing competitions are the logical conclusion and test of my training,” he said.
“I enjoy the ambiance of races: from the tension and anticipation which precedes the start, to the exertion of the climbs, to the explosion of the sprint — the grand finale,” he added. “There is also, after the race, the camaraderie with my fellow competitors built through many seasons of fierce competition.”
