Two days after crossing the finish line of the 24 Hours of Le Mans cycling race, Romain Gioux is only just coming back down to earth and shares his first thoughts on the experience. Taking on this legendary event solo, he completed 185 laps, covering nearly 775 km, to finish an impressive 7th in the solo category. A result made all the more remarkable by the fact that he lives with two medical conditions every day: type 1 diabetes and idiopathic bilateral vestibulopathy, a balance disorder. A look back at an adventure that was as much human as it was athletic.
Preparation that changed everything
“Pretty much everything went the way I had planned,” Romain sums up. For an entire year, he planned his race down to the smallest detail: nutrition strategy, blood glucose management, pit-stop planning, equipment adapted to his balance disorder — including different wheels at the front and rear to better cope with crosswinds — and even detailed instruction sheets for his support crew at every stop.
This methodical preparation paid off at almost every stage of the race: “There wasn’t a single moment when I thought, ‘Oh, I didn’t prepare for that.’ I had anticipated everything.” Looking back, his only regrets were not reapplying anti-chafing cream during the race and allowing his blood glucose levels to run slightly too low. Neither prevented him from completing an outstanding race.
His indoor training on Kinomap, particularly on the indoor bike trainer and rowing machine, also played a decisive role. The intensive rowing sessions he incorporated into his preparation meant he experienced no back or arm pain throughout the 24 hours — something that is usually a recurring issue on his longer rides.
A rainy start, followed by a dream night
The race began in challenging conditions, with three hours of heavy rain from the very start and a field of more than 3,500 riders, including both teams and solo competitors. Romain chose to ride in just his jersey, without a jacket or arm warmers, keeping 100% of his focus on the slippery track and the numerous crashes happening around him.
But the night — his biggest concern because of his balance disorder — ultimately became the best part of his race.
“I had put so much emphasis on it and trained so hard to prepare my body for riding through the night that I was genuinely ready. I had a night where I rode consistently and really fast, without any drop in energy. I was completely focused and incredibly clear-headed.”
With the wind dying down after dark, he was even able to make up a considerable amount of time. On the same straight, his speed went from 35 km/h during the day while riding into the wind to 47 km/h at night.
Science at the heart of the project
What sets this challenge apart from a purely sporting achievement is its scientific dimension. As part of the race, Romain underwent a series of tests for the CNRS, France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, as part of a study into fatigue associated with his vestibular condition. The tests were carried out at regular intervals in a dedicated room and came at a significant cost in terms of time: out of the full 24 hours, he spent only 20 hours and 50 minutes riding, meaning 3 hours and 10 minutes of cumulative stops, most of which were devoted to scientific testing rather than rest.
Full test carried out after the 24-hour race
That figure becomes even more striking when put into perspective: in terms of pure riding pace, Romain was going as fast as the race winner. Without the time spent on scientific testing, the numbers suggest he could theoretically have challenged for second place.
“It’s frustrating in one sense,” he admits, “but on the other hand, more than anything it makes me want to come back and do a race that’s really focused on cycling.”
Diabetes and balance: managing two challenges in real time
Throughout the event, Romain also had to manage blood glucose levels that proved particularly difficult to raise, despite eating regularly — around 60g of carbohydrates per hour. One hypoglycaemic episode, caused by a lapse in attention during a particularly painful spell with his knee, even forced him to consume nearly 100g of sugar at once before he could get going again.
As for his balance, his vestibulopathy ultimately caused fewer problems than expected. On social media, a video of his first lap in the rain received almost 44,000 views, while one message from someone who had recently been diagnosed with the same condition had a particularly strong impact on him. “She told me that what I did might seem like nothing to other people, but for someone living with this condition, it’s incredible.”
The toughest moment: the final three hours
Although he never suffered a complete physical collapse, Romain admits that the final three hours were the hardest part of the race. He experienced severe pain in both knees, probably caused by insufficient fat intake and hydration during the event. “I felt like I wasn’t moving forward at all, even though my lap times actually weren’t that bad.”
In his mind, he had already imagined several fallback scenarios, but giving up was never one of them.
Above all, a human adventure
Beyond the sporting performance, what Romain remembers most is the collective experience: the essential support from his staff managing diabetes, vestibular testing and nutrition; the presence of his family and friends; and the overall spirit of kindness and solidarity shared between competitors throughout the 24 hours.
“I’ve never seen people be so genuinely human,” he says. “Whether you race solo or as part of a team, everyone comes away from it changed in some way.”
What’s next?
For now, the focus is on recovery: complete rest, plenty of food to replenish his energy stores, restorative sleep — including 11 hours on the first night — and a gradual return to training on Kinomap, starting with rowing before getting back on the bike with his indoor trainer over the coming days.
In a week and a half, he is due to compete in the French Para-Cycling Championships, an event he fully intends to take part in.
And as for another ultra-endurance challenge? Romain is ruling nothing out.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll do another 24-hour race.”
One thing is certain: this first experience has given him one clear conviction — that he has an extraordinary ability to recover.