June 12/09 14:37 pm - Tour de Beauce: Stage 4a photos, report and results

Posted by Editoress on 06/12/09
 

Photos

The Tour de Beauce has had its third lead change in four stages, after Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) won the time trial and leapfrogged ahead of his two Colombian rivals to take the Yellow Jersey.  Zwizanski now holds a 1:03 lead on Sergio Henao (Colombian National Team) in the general classification, with Darwin Atapuma (Colombian National Team) at 1:15.  Ryan Roth (Planet Energy) was the top Canadian finisher in 14th place, and 1:25 behind Zwizanski.  Roth retained ninth place in the overall standings, and is now 4:11 out of the lead.

Riders woke up to rain for the time trial, and at race time the rain was still falling, making the many corners at the beginning and end of the out-and-back course slippery.  The rain gradually slackened off, and stopped falling entirely for the last 15 riders but, as Zwizanski pointed out, "the roads were still wet and slippery, and I don't think it really gave anybody an advantage.  You just had to be careful in the corners and try and stay safe, and then turn over a big gear the rest of the way."

There were really only three riders in the competition for the stage win, with Jesse Sergent (Trek Livestrong), the 16th rider off, the first to set a sub-27 minute time of 26:52.  His time held up through nearly two-thirds of the field, with only Otavio Bougarelli (Garneau-Club Chaussure) able to get below 27 minutes before Phil Zajicek (Fly V Australia) was able to knock four seconds off the leading time.

Zajicek then held the lead until Zwizanski, third from last out of the starting house was able to convincingly demolish that time by 22 seconds.  Zwizanski had clearly won the stage, but would it be enough to take the overall lead from Henao, who was 39 seconds clear after a strong performance the day before on Mont Megantic.

"I was confident that I could do well in the time trial," admitted Zwizanski, "but the Colombians were so strong yesterday that I wouldn't have been surprised if they had managed to hold on [to the Jersey].  I knew that I could have a good result, but not necessarily expecting to win with guys like Ben Day and Phil Zajicek here; it's really great to be up there against those guys."

Zwizanski's ride was strong enough to take the Jersey, beating his rival Henao by 1:42, to take both the Yellow Jersey and the Points Jersey (from Danilo Wyss of BMC).

History is on Zwizanski's side, with the leader after the time trial never beaten at Beauce.  However, there are still two tough circuit races to go:  in Quebec City tomorrow and back in St-Georges on Sunday.  Will he be able to hold onto the jersey?

"I would have to say I'm pretty confident.  We've got a strong team here.  But, of course, I do have some nerves, because I've heard that the last two stages are hard.  It'll be tough, for sure, but we'll fight to hold onto it."

Race Notes

- There is a 60 kilometre, 40 lap criterium tonight in St-Georges, however, it does not count for GC (it doesn't meet the UCI criteria for a stage race).  While the top contenders will just be looking to stay out of trouble, expect some of the sprinters - who haven't had much chance to show their stuff - to make it a fast race.  There has also been much discussion about organizing a Team Director's 2 lap race prior to the main event, since so many of the Directors are ex-pros.  The thought is intriguing:  Steve Bauer, Gord Fraser, Axel Merckx, Henk Vogels, Dom Perras, Chann McRae, Jonas Carney, Mike Sayers, Mat Toulouse and others all on the line together...  We'll have to wait a few hours to see if it happens.

- Tomorrow, the Tour de Beauce travels to Quebec City for a 125 kilometre, 9 lap circuit race through Old Quebec.  This is a tough circuit, dominated by the 1500 metre, 7% climb from the St Lawrence River to the Upper Town each lap.  Breakaways have not had much luck in staying away here, with the wind along the river making it difficult to stay away, and the leading team always very nervous about letting anyone get too much time.