In the heart of the 24H Rollers

“Chicken Solo”

 

  • Since how many time do you participate to the 24H Rollers?

I participate since 2003. I started to participate with a team and since 2008; I am registrated in the SOLO category, thanks to my friend DAN SOLO, who is participating for the sixth time.

  • Why do you participate every year ?

I am very happy to see my friends in Le Mans because I can see a major part of them only during this week-end. To surpass/excel myself in every edition of the 24H Rollers and the motivation is still there since 2003. This atmosphere / ambiance is magic here, because we prepare the bivouac from Friday afternoon in the camping. This instant is magic when SOLOS and DUOS finish their 24 hours and cross the finish line together.

  • What is your best souvenir / memory of the 24H Rollers?

It was in 2009. I get a gastric virus during the night of Friday. I was so ill that one of the doctor in the medical space of the 24H Rollers, forbad me to participate, if I didn’t feel better. Nevertheless, I was among the starters because I wanted to do one lap at least. Then, the other laps followed and I felt better and better during the race. Finally, I made 102 laps during this edition while I didn’t eat anything during 2 days. That’s currently my best result!!!

  • What is your aim / goal this year ?

To reach my result of 2009 when I finished 14th SOLO (102 laps)

  • Which advices can you give for the beginners?

For the first year, they have to immerse theirselves with the ambiance / atmosphere of the 24H Rollers. They don’t have to break a record.

For the SOLO, they have to follow the rate of others SOLO in order to manage their efforts.

I am managing the club Roller Varadais (44) and we registered 2 teams in the PRESTIGE category, 1 team of women in the ENDURANCE category, 1 DUO and 4 SOLO. One of the team registered in the PRESTIGE category is made with people who participate for the first time. They will come to enjoy this race.

  • 3 words describing the 24H Rollers ?

 Friendly

Gratifying

Fascinating

 

TNS FRANKFURT, Friends from Germany

We met Dirk May, founder and manager of the fastest skate night in Germany – the Tuesday Night Skating Frankfurt – for an interview. Since 2002 he regularly comes to Le Mans to participate in the 24 hour race, followed by an each year increasing number of teams.

  • Hi Dirk. This year you come to Le Mans for the tenth time. How did the story begin?

As manager of the Tuesday Night Skating Frankfurt I have my focus on inline skating and inline events already since the nineties. Always looking for interesting places to go and skate, in 2001 I stumbled over a Le Mans brochure. 2002 I took my first team to the famous Bugatti circuit for the race

  • What were your first impressions?

The event was and is one-of-a-kind. You can feel the unique atmosphere already when you arrive. And all strains of the long journey are easily forgotten. Dunlop Hill was love at first sight – “goose bump feeling” as we call it. The whole weekend we are invited to live on the course and near it – a place most of us only know from TV.

  • Did you and your team have any objectives for your first participation?

Honestly? No, actually we didn’t … since we didn’t know what to expect, we were inspired by the Olympic spirit – participating, being there when it happens – is what counts. We wanted to be part of this event, no accidents or injuries. So far for the words – as soon as we heard the starter’s gun, ambition took over. And in the end we are proud to have reached ……. Place. We were more than happy with this unexpected success

  • When you come to Le Mans this year – what will that look like?

In the first year we were 9 people in a little bus, no much luxury to be expected. This year we come with three tour busses and more than 10 teams. We offer an ‘all inclusive package’ and take care of the whole organization.

  • Since your first participation ten years ago – what did change?

Luckily neither the exciting race nor the atmosphere changed!The sleepless nights, the start, the race itself, taking the last turn heading for the home-stretch, all this is still part of the excitement.Yet, so many things have changed. Apart from the improvements of the course itself – the asphalt was rebuilt, the rise of the Dunlop Hill was smoothened a bit – the sanitary arrangements have definitely been upgraded. As the participating teams have become more and more international so has your website

  • What are your personal highlights in the race?

First of all the incredible feeling at the start and the “goose-bump feeling” when heading for the home stretch. And then all the little things, that I appreciate about Le Mans. In the morning at 4 o’clock, when you think you’re not able to get up, and then you get into your shoes and are again in the race – there is this feeling again that you can do and maybe even better than last time, and maybe even faster than the last round …Talking to the skaters and friends from all over the world during the breaks or when queuing for the shower. All this starts with this feeling that your adrenaline is rising slowly but steadily when your approaching Le Mans on Friday and culminates in the grand Finale on Sunday afternoon, at 16:00 when everybody ends ‘his’ race with the biggest smile in the face

  • What are your wishes for the future?

Wishing that Le Mans stays one of THE meeting points for the international inline skating community, I very much look forward to many, many skaters returning to this wonderful and unique event and enjoying it, no matter if Solo, Duo, Endurance or Veteran.