Spectrum: The Swiss Patrick Seabase is certainly one of the strongest and craziest fixie athletes in the world. In the past he conquered mountains, passes and descents on his track bike that most of us would probably capitulate to on a normal bike. On June 3, the 31-year-old's biggest challenge to date awaits: he wants to complete the famous first mountain stage of the 2010 Tour de France – the Tour d'Assassin.
When Patrick gets on his bike in Bahgnères-deLuchon at 4 a.m. on June 3, an almost incomprehensibly difficult test awaits him: more than 300 km, 6.000 meters of altitude difference and five mountain passes await on the legendary route, which is the first mountain stage of the Tour de France 1910 was. A few years later, the organizers again distanced themselves from the Tour d'Assassin, as it was called - it was simply too hard for most participants. Between the starting line and the finish in Bayonne are five world-famous passes that have a very special aura, not only for cyclists: Cols de Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque and Oquich are their names.
Patrick himself is looking forward to the attempt, but has just as much respect: “I want to feel what the pioneers felt on their simple bikes 105 years ago. If I'm in When I arrive in Bayonne, I have achieved something monumental for me.” And he is actually not wrong when he compares his fixie with the bikes of the participants of the Tour de France more than 100 years ago: At that time the athletes could at least fall back on two gears, freewheel and simple rim brakes were already available . All of this will not be available to Seabase next Wednesday. "It's like being strapped onto a rocket. Everything I do on the bike translates directly to the road." he describes the driving experience.
The 5-time mountain bike world champion Nino Schurter is also impressed by the Swiss's plan: "It's one of the hardest things you can do. Even with a racing bike, that's extremely tough. There are no longer such long stages. And that with a fixie, where you can't relax on the descent either. Chapeau if he can do it.”
Fans can follow the attempt live at www.redbull.com/seabase1910. In addition to a live ticker, the position of Patrick Seabase is also displayed live on a map via GPS. In any case, we will follow this hellish ride next week with great interest!