Yann, today you are proud of a sporting event that has been running in Touraine for almost 50 years…
Yes Nicolas, today I suggest you go back in time to 1974. This is the year when André Auberger (4th president of the French disabled sports federation), himself a paraplegic who worked for the French Paralympic Committee, exchange an idea and teamed up with cycling legend Raymond Poulidor to create a cycling race in pairs composed of an able-bodied and a disabled person. This is how the 1st Handisport Cycling Trophy was born, which includes around 40 participants, half of whom are professionals, like Tourangeau champion Jean-Pierre Danguillaume.
The following year, it was the turn of Bernard Thevenet, who had just won the Tour de France, to come and run and honor this committed competition with his presence.
First organized in Nazelles-Négon, then in Joué-les-Tours, the greatest champions of cycling will follow one another in this beautiful event, until settling in Montlouis sur Loire in 2001.
Indeed, a beautiful, committed and large-scale initiative is happening with us in Touraine. And this year, the adventure continues?
Yes, since at the end of 2021, after a 2-year hiatus due to Covid, Jean-Claude Lelandais (president of AS Montlouis Cyclisme) and his friends have decided to set off again for 2022 with a special edition on Saturday October 15, dedicated to 2 founders of this race which has become historic. This year, the event will therefore be dedicated to André Auberger who left us on August 5th, with a special tribute to Raymond Poulidor. And to honor this new edition, the “voice of the Tour de France”, the cycling encyclopedia, Daniel Mangeas will be there, accompanied by other surprise guests…
How will it go and what new developments will we see this year?
Already a 1st evolution, there will be no professionals in the race this year. A new discipline will appear since there will be a Tadem race with 1 able-bodied and 1 visually impaired. There will also be a handibike event, you know those bikes where you pedal with your arms, a handibike will also be made available to the public, to raise awareness of those who wish to try this bike. This day is of course hosted and logistically managed by AS Montlouis Cyclisme, and unconditionally supported by the city of Montlouis sur Loire, the department of Indre et Loire, as well as the Center Val de Loire region. Go support the runners and have a good time, plus it’s free and for everyone.
We must not forget to specify that the main objective of this Handisport Cycling Trophy and of the association of the same name which organizes it, is to raise awareness of inclusion, to highlight disabled sport and openness, as the 2 creative protagonists of this beautiful event wished 48 years ago..
In any case, on France Bleu Touraine, we are very proud of the Handisport Cycling Trophy and the beautiful inclusive and sporting values that it continues to carry!
Useful links :
the event website: www.trophee-handisport.fr