Ultra Cycling Podcast - Interview with Avril Laheurterace bib USS322) - How do you train for a 2500km race?
Avril Laheurte on the finish line of the RAF 25000km in Mandelieu, France, Côte d'Azur -
What changed in 2025 in the run-up to April 🏋️♀️🚴♀️🏊♀️🧠
For this 2025 season, Avril has implemented a more structured and holistic approach to her training to perform in ultra-distance while preserving the pleasure of training. Her program is based on four essential pillars: a structured plan, multisport, useful strength training and solid mental routines.
📈 Better staggered volumes and endurance blocks
No more unbalanced loads! Avril has distributed her training volumes more evenly over the weeks, with specific blocks to develop her resistance to prolonged effort - a key element in ultra-cycling.
🏊♀️ Multi-sport supplements
To break the monotony and challenge the body differently, Avril has included sessions to break her routine and get away from 100% cycling - this cross-training improves cardio-respiratory capacity while limiting the joint overload associated with cycling.
💪 Strength & sheathing for a better aero position
One of the big changes in 2025 was the introduction of a targeted strength training program: useful leg strength, deep sheathing and postural work. The aim: to hold aero positions longer, while reducing pain and muscle fatigue.
🧘♀️ Refocusing routines & mental microgoals
Finally, Avril has given a central place to mental preparation. Thanks to daily refocusing routines and the implementation of micro-objectives, she strengthened her ability to handle difficult moments and stay motivated throughout the season.
🚀 To sum up
In 2025, Avril adopted a more comprehensive approach:
Structured planning and intelligent volumes
Multisport to keep you motivated
Targeted muscle strengthening for performance
Mental preparation for resilience
A winning combo for lasting progress in ultra-distance 🌟
Avril Laheurte on the Race Across France 2500km - ultra distance
Strategy & Sleep: Avril's secret weapon in 2025 🧠⏱️💤
"In previous years, I didn't really have a strategy. This year, my strategy is precisely to have one."
This sentence perfectly sums up the turn taken by Avril in 2025. To perform sustainably on an ultra-distance event, she has opted for a more methodical approach: optimizing sleep, structuring stops and managing her pace with lucidity.
🌙 Planned sleep rather than sleepless nights
Instead of pulling one all-nighter after another, as in previous years, Avril has adopted a planned sleep strategy. She now aims for 1 to 2 cycles per night, depending on the day and her state of fitness. This approach enables her to recover effectively without compromising the overall pace of the race - a key to staying clear-headed and performing well over several days.
📝 "Intelligent" stops to avoid time drifts
Every stop is now prepared in advance with a clear checklist:
Canister filling 💧
Power supply 🍽️
Adjusting clothing layers 🧥
Recharging batteries 🔋
This preparation enables condensed and efficient shutdowns, avoiding involuntary time losses that quickly accumulate in ultra.
🚴♀️ Pace management: playing the patience card
One of the great innovations in Avril's strategy is the reasoned pace management from the very first hours of the event. Rather than going too fast, she stays in a sustainable zone, even if it means "losing" a few minutes at the start. It's a conscious choice that allows her to gain ground hours later, when the competitors' fatigue sets in.
🅱️ Plan B: micro-sleeps rather than head in the handlebars
Finally, Avril has a clear plan B for dealing with signs of extreme fatigue. If a warning appears, she allows herself a safety micro-sleep, then sets off again in good conditions, rather than persisting and risking physical or mental drift. A clear-sighted decision that often makes all the difference in the long run.
🧭 To sum up
Its new approach is based on 4 powerful levers:
Regular, planned sleep 💤
Prepared and efficient stops 📝
Controlled speed from the start 🚴♀️
Plan B safety with micro-sleeps 🅱️
A real long-term strategy, designed to go the distance without burning all your matches too soon 🔥
Avril Laheurte on her way to victory in the Race Across France 2500km
🧳 Optimized equipment: light, simple and efficient
Without completely overhauling its set-up, Avril has refined every detail of its equipment to increase efficiency without compromising reliability. The aim: to lighten, simplify and anticipate real needs on the road.
📦 Dropbags: well-thought-out essentials
At each point, Avril has chosen to keep only the essentials:
Key consumables 🍫
Dry🧦 clothing
Electronic refill ⚡
This minimalist strategy allows him to avoid the superfluous and stay fast at refuelling points.
🧰 Bags & contents: everything in its place
Strict sorting and meticulous organization: food, care products and electricity are arranged in themed, easily accessible bags. This method saves precious minutes during stops, while reducing the stress of searching for an object at the bottom of a bag.
💡 Lighting & energy: zero improvisation
Systematic pre-departure autonomy checks
Clear recharging plan with power banks and socket markings
Duplicated cables to prevent unexpected failures
Energy reliability is an essential prerequisite for safe driving, day and night.
🧥 Clothes: the efficient layering system
The choice of clothing is based on a system of adaptable layers:
Lightweight windbreaker 🌬️
Sleeves and leggings 🦵
Thermal gloves and accessories 🧤
This allows him to quickly adjust his protection to suit the conditions, without having to stop for a long time.
On the Race Across Series, you can findan entire list of mandatory equipment essential for your success, in complete safety.
🏔️ La Bonette: strategy for climbing onto the RAF roof
The high point of the Race Across France, the Bonette demands anticipation and lucidity.
"I don't want to summit at night - to avoid the cold and take advantage of the visibility."
🍽️ Before ascension: preparing body and equipment
Eat downstairs for a boost of energy
Warming up before the climb
Check gloves, hat and thermal layer
If you'd like to find out more, read our article on ultra-distance power supply:
😴 Strategic sleep & weather
In case of fatigue or cool conditions, Avril plans a sleep stop at the Basecamp at the foot of the Bonette, so as to tackle the climb in good mental and physical condition.
She prefers a daytime weather window for better visibility and optimal thermal management.
🤝 The Race Across Series community: a valuable reference point
"We often find the same people... We enjoy talking to each other, getting together."
For Avril, community is an essential part of the experience:
Familiar faces at the start and at the bases of life, reassuring and motivating 🤗
A human adventure based on respect and mutual support between ultra-cyclists
Simple, genuine exchanges give each edition a unique dimension
If you'd like to get in touch with our community, please visit our participants' cornerwhere you'll find access to our Facebook forum.
✨ Departure & emotions : Dinan, the eve of the great voyage
The day before departure, in Dinan, the atmosphere is unique:
Bikes line up, eyes meet 👀
Excitement mingles with inner calm
The road is calling, the passes are waiting, Mandelieu is in sight 🌄
"I can't wait to get going, see the road go by, climb the passes... and get to Mandelieu."
In 2025, Avril, after 3 participations, finally won the 2500 km on the RAF - she became queen of the utra distance in 7 days 22h and 49 minutes!
Relive the film of the 2025 edition:
