The Roc d’Azur CIC is about champions, competitions, and record chasers. But it’s also about enthusiasts, families, and children coming to enjoy an exceptional setting and a unique atmosphere. Every year, Saturday is largely dedicated to this more relaxed side of the event, with activities for the whole family and numerous rides of varying distances, allowing everyone to find the challenge best suited to their level and their desires.
For the first time, the Thule Roc Canicross and Thule Roc CaniVTT even gave participants the chance to join the celebration with their dogs. The Roc d’Azur truly brings together all the cycling families. This Saturday, gravel enthusiasts set off on either the Alltricks Rando Gravel Roc (142 km) or the Continental Gravel Roc (67 km) — with a shared goal for all: pleasure and enjoyment.
A regular at the Roc d’Azur CIC since its early years, Arthur Liardet (25) won the Continental Gravel Roc (67.5 km) in a sprint finish ahead of Valentin Remondet.
“It’s great to end the season with a win at the Roc,” he said. “I’ve been coming here since I was 7. I’ve done the Roc Cadet, the Roc Tandems, the Roc Gravel — I try everything! I took the time to enjoy the scenery, and it was really beautiful. I had fun all morning.”
Flavie Guille claimed victory in the women’s race, ahead of Lithuanian Katazina Sosna, a multiple-time Roc Marathon champion.
“It was my first Gravel race and I loved it,” said Flavie. “The Roc is the time of year when we all come together to have a good time at the end of the season. There’s less pressure, but a win at the Roc — I’ll take it!”
Other winners of the day included French champion Lucas Rodriguez (Roc Cadets), Belgian Élisa Aubier (Roc Cadette) — both already crowned in the youth categories in past years — and Italian Noémie Bitarelli (Roc Juniors Women).
The Roc d’Azur CIC will conclude on Sunday with the traditional grand finale of the week. Covering 56.6 km through the Maures Massif (including a new section), some of the best riders in the discipline will battle to succeed Jordan Sarrou and Émeline Detilleux (BEL), last year’s winners.
The top riders from Friday’s Skoda Roc Marathon — Belgian Alleman, Colombian Paez Leon, Swiss Fanger, Italian Cherchi among the men, and German Morath, Italians Nisi and Seiwald, and Frenchwoman Tournut among the women — are also expected to be among the front-runners. Watch out as well for Noémie Garnier, the 2023 champion, starting fresh and determined to “finish the season on a high note.”
After returning to the program last year, road cycling will once again be part of the celebration. Three new routes — mainly through the Maures Massif, around Grimaud and Saint-Tropez — are featured in the Ekoï Cyclo Roc, with courses of 166 km, 108 km, and 76 km.
Also on Sunday: trail running (13 to 50 km) and hiking (7 to 21 km) around the Rocher de Roquebrune-sur-Argens.
