It’s not every day that we come across a bishop who rides a bicycle, and yet it is the program this Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 May of Monsignor Benoit Rivière. The Bishop of Autun, Mâcon and Chalon-Sur-Saône takes part in the French clergy cycling championships. The event takes place in Ardèche and brings together 80 Catholic monks and nuns. (“Open to bishops, priests, deacons, men and women religious, pastors, seminarians and consecrated persons” specifies the diocese of Saône-et-Loire.) On the program today a time trial of nearly 13 kms and tomorrow a race of 54 kms in the south of the Ardèche. Monsignor Benoit Rivière would be the only bishop to participate in this competition
This race labeled FFC (French Cycling Federation) is back after 2 years of absence due to the Covid crisis. “We are all bike lovers and walkers” smiled Monsignor Benoît Rivière. “Personally, I wear shorts and a jersey, but it happened that I came across a sister participating in the race in the habit of a nun. I do not hide that I am a bishop, but I do not do this race to communicate on the ‘Church. It’s true that it can surprise and that people come to talk to us. It also brings the priests closer to their bishop “ he assures.
At 67, I hope to leave a dozen behind me ” -Monsignor Benoît Rivière
“I like sport, especially endurance sports. It was this championship that led me to buy a bike about fifteen years ago, and since then I have been doing a little bit of it, but I I didn’t do any specific training for this competition. I simply took advantage of 3 days in the mountains to take long walks and prepare myself physically.”
“A few years ago, in this event, I finished in the middle of the table. There at 67, if I leave a few behind me I will be happy. If I finish in the last 10 it will be good, but really I’m not looking to get a result, but rather to manage my effort well.”
Does prayer make it possible to overcome the steep slopes of the Ardèche? Monsignor Benoît Rivière remains evasive on this, but he intends to participate in the mass which will bring together all the competitors on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. in the cathedral of Viviers (Ardèche).
The course initially planned for 2020 was retained in 2022. That is to say a 12.7 kilometer time trial which will be contested on the 1st day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. between Rochemaure and Cruas then, the next day, a 54 kilometer road race (3 x 18 kms) between Saint-Remèze and Gras. (10h-12h30)