The sun comes out for the finish in Paris on the tenth edition of The London-Paris

On Saturday, riders on the tenth edition of The London-Paris started the third and final stage. Under grey skies and in windy conditions, 400 riders left Amiens for Paris. The support crew guided all six speed groups along the 168km route with a total ascent of 1126m.

The GC race section came at 23kms. Lasting 21.1kms, it was a tough race with a steep hill a few kilometres into it. Once at the top, riders raced along an exposed road with crosswinds. Team UK Youth’s Greg Mansell led from early on, with Marcin Bialoblocki chasing him down. By the halfway mark, there was a break-away group of three, including Mansell, Bialoblocki and 1987 Triple Crown winner, Stephen Roche. The three retained their lead with Bialoblocki crossing the line first, followed closely by Mansell and then Stephen Roche.

Not far behind the amateur race was heating up, but 17-year-old HotChillee Development Rider Nicholas Dlamini, riding for Wattbike, managed to hold on to the Yellow Jersey for 2013. In 2nd was Matthew Exley from Team Skoda and in 3rd, Rasmus Brenter.

In the pro race, the ICAP Yellow Jersey was retained by Greg Mansell, who won last year. Mary Breed put in an impressive effort and takes the ICAP Pink Jersey home in 2013. Despite incredibly tough competition between the Official Teams this year, Team CycloSure managed to retain the lead and take the win in 2013. In second place was Team ORYX and in third, Team Hogan Lovells.

Once over the GC finish-line, riders regrouped at the water stop. It was then back onto exposed roads, testing legs. 35kms later and it was into the Timed Climb Section up a steep hill into the woods with switchbacks. Team UK Youth’s, Marcin Bialoblocki went into Stage Three in the lead for the pro category, with Greg Mansell one point behind. Bialoblocki retained the ICAP Pro Red Jersey for 2013. In the amateur race, Nicholas Dlamini came in first place overall, but as he received the Yellow Jersey, the second rider, Chain Reaction Cycles’ Jon Leighton will be awarded the ICAP Red Jersey in the amateur race.

The riders regrouped at the top and it was a quick 11kms to the Timed Sprint section for the ICAP Green Jersey. Pro-rider Greg Mansell went into the stage in the lead and Team Skoda’s Matthew Exley wore the Amateur Race Green Jersey following Stage Two. Todd Hooper, UK Youth won the sprint, making it a tie for the ICAP Green Jersey winner for 2013 with Matthew Exley, Team Skoda.

With the racing done for the day, the riders cruised to lunch in Menucourt and all speed groups came together for the final 45kms. The 1km long peloton, with all The London-Paris 2013 riders, weaved through the French towns’ en-route to Paris with many local spectators along the way.

Coming into Paris, emotions flowed as riders were met by friends, family and a champagne celebration. Allie Copse-Bell, the only hand cyclist riding The London-Paris led all 400 riders in, over the cobbles up to the Arc de Triomphe and past the Eiffel Tower to the finish. The rolling road closures into Paris on a Saturday are only conducted by one other event in France, the Tour de France. The winners’ jerseys were awarded at the finish-line and the Spirit Award was presented to one stand-out individual in each of the six speed groups. The winners of this award were: Group Six, Alison Esse from Team Storytellers; Group Five, Sarah Guignard; Group Four, Phil Jones from Team Skoda; Group Three, Richie Holley from Team Tullett Prebon; Group Two, Laura Morgan from Team TS-Associations; Group One, Jon Leighton representing Chain Reaction Cycles.

Everyone partied hard that evening at the 10th Anniversary Dinner and Party at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse.

Individual and Team entries for The London-Paris 2014 will open soon. More details will follow.

The London-Paris 2013 Results

Best Team Category

1. Team CycloSure: Jimmy Wilson, Peter Robson, Tim Glibert, Christos Panayiotou

2. Team ORYX

3. Team Hogal Lovells

Amateur Race ICAP Yellow Jersey

1. Nicholas Dlamini, Wattbike and HotChillee Development Rider, South Africa

2. Matthew Exley, Team Skoda

3. Rasmus Brenter, from Sweden

Pro Race ICAP Yellow Jersey

1. Greg Mansell, UK Youth

2. Marcin Bialoblocki, UK Youth

Lead Ladies ICAP Pink Jersey

1. Mary Breed, Hogan Lovells

2. Laura Morgan, Team TS-Associates

Amateur Race ICAP Red Jersey

1. Nicholas Dlamini, Wattbike and HotChillee Development Rider, South Africa

2. Jon Leighton, Chain Reaction Cycles

3. Matthew Exley, Team Skoda

Pro Race ICAP Red Jersey

1. Marcin Bialoblocki, UK Youth

2. Greg Mansell, UK Youth

Amateur Race ICAP Green Jersey

1. Todd Hooper UK Youth

2. Matthew Exley, Team Skoda

3. Too close to call the third place

Pro Race ICAP Green Jersey

1. Marcin Bialoblocki, UK Youth

2. Greg Mansell, UK Youth

For the full results, please go to https://www.londres-paris.com/results_2013.php.