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20/03/2008 The Cent-Cols at the start of the Paris-Beijing race

Further south, the Agay event came to an end. On Sunday 16 March 2008, some 100 climbers from the Paris region came to say their goodbyes and lend their support to the 19 fellow riders among the 105 cyclists and organisers from various countries.
Aged between 19 and 76, they are setting off on a 12,000 km adventure from Paris to Beijing.

The weather was gloomy, but with the occasional ray of sunshine, and the start village was abuzz with activity from the first light of dawn.
Our members, all sharpened up on their new bikes allocated to each of them a month ago, were sometimes smiling, sometimes a little nervous, as is often the case in the last few minutes before major brevets.

After an official photo in front of the Eiffel Tower (the next will be in front of the Great Wall), it was difficult to get all the members together for the 100 Cols group photo as planned, especially as most of them didn't know each other. They'll certainly have time to remedy that during these 5 months together.
So here are a few portraits of those who, more or less well known among us, may well be wearing our colours at the top of the great passes of Kirghizstan or China.

Let's wish them a safe journey and courage to reach these far-off lands.

Didier REMOND - DT01

Thanks to the various photographers who sent me their photos: B.Mareuil, C.Proponet, Marie-Lou Cauchon.