Fréjus, 12 October 2019 Roc d'Azur A family celebration before the clash of titans Gravel grinders, recreational rides, families and children took centre stage in the Roc d'Azur in Fréjus on Saturday. The elite race, which will bring down the curtain on the 36th edition of the event on Sunday, promises a no-holds-barred showdown featuring some of the world's best mountain bikers. Key points: • Gravel Origins 83 and Mavic Roc Gravel wow fans of a booming genre. • Thousands of mountain bikers take part in today's recreational rides. • Kids become soul of the party in Kid Roc races. • Jordan Sarrou chasing a third win in the Roc d'Azur. Gravel fever grips the Roc d'Azur It is only natural for gravel grinding, a genre halfway between mountain biking and road racing that has exhibited spectacular growth over the last few years, to have a place in the Roc d'Azur. The Mavic Gravel Roc pit gravel gobblers against a 65.4 km course with an altitude difference of 1,400 m on Saturday. "Everyone should give it a go", says Cédrick Dubois, who won the race with a time of 2 h 30′24″ after claiming the Étape du Tour de France last summer. "Gravel grinders are the missing link between mountain biking and road racing. All sorts of riders can have fun. The atmosphere is very friendly and I'm really pleased that the Roc d'Azur decided to add this genre to its programme." After a blistering start put him in the early lead, a big, ill-timed puncture near the halfway point knocked cyclo-cross champion Steve Chainel out of the race. However, he made it back in time to take part in the Roc Star Game alongside some of the biggest names in mountain biking, including Kilian Bron (downhill), Isabeau Courdurier (world no. 1 in enduro), Fabien Barel (downhill) and Nicolas Roux. "We all come from different genres, so we don't get to meet up and talk very often", explains Chainel. "The Roc Star Game gives us the chance to have a blast and share the fun with our fans." Participants in the Gravel Origins 83 also reached Fréjus later in the day after completing a two-day, 280 km trek that took them through the majestic landscapes of the Var department from the Mediterranean coast to Verdon Gorge. Riding without a care in the world No timing, no eyes on the mileage counter —only fun. Almost 3,500 participants enjoyed the various recreational rides held on Saturday. The Roc d'Azur really let its hair down with the 8 km Rando Roc Famille, the Rando Roc Electric Noire, the 49.4 km Alltricks.com Rando Roc Noire and the Rando Roc Déguisée, which kept up the tradition of starting with a super-sized serpent moving to the beat of La Salsa du démon, with Bob Marley, Superman, the Ninja Turtles, calves and even the Dalton Brothers seen in the peloton. The champions of tomorrow animate the Kid Roc Red-faced, trying to catch their breath… and with a twinkle in their eyes. The kids competing in the various Kid Roc races left nothing in the tank, savouring an unforgettable experience that could be the start of a successful career for some of them. The parents watching from the sidelines also put on quite a show. Some were worried sick, while others egged on their kids to chase even minor placings. As usual, the Kid Roc Draisienne for children as young as 2 years old and the various Kid Roc races (ranging from 2 to 8 km depending on the age group) left no child or parent indifferent. Elites gear up for the grand finale On Sunday, the showdown among some of the world's leading mountain bikers in the 51.4 km Roc d'Azur (40.2 km for the Roc Ladies) will be the traditional closing act of this week of racing. Fresh off the Tokyo Test Event held last weekend, Jordan Sarrou will be chasing a third win to go along the ones he claimed in 2014 and 2016, which would put him even with Miguel Martinez (1997, 2004 and 2013) as event record-holder. 2015 winner Victor Koretzky could also extend the French hegemony of the last few years (six French victories in the last seven editions). However, Austrian Daniel Geismayr and Dutchman Hans Becking, who finished first and second in the Canyon Roc Marathon on Friday, and the large contingent of Italian riders, who will be seeking their first Roc d'Azur win after several near misses in previous years, are also ready to pounce. Pro road cyclist Alexandre Geniez will also be on the start line. Meanwhile, Sabrina Énaux will be defending her title in the women's category, while world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will be sitting out the race after breaking her nose in Tokyo last week and settling for a visit to the Show on Saturday. The winner of the Canyon Roc Marathon, Lithuanian Kataržina Sosna, will be seeking to score a double. The 2014 champion, Margot Moschetti from France, is also in with a shot. For more information: www.rocazur.com Press contacts: Mille & une vagues Soazig Gueho et Aurélia Filho A.S.O. Press Department [email protected] / Marie Bonnet afilho@ milletunevagues.com [email protected] [email protected] + 33 6 62 08 75 44 / + 33 7 85 82 89 72 + 33 7 89 31 57 3 .