July 28/08 2:13 am - Tour de l'Abitibi: Stage 1 and 2 report and full results

Posted by Editoress on 07/28/08
 

Tour de l'Abitibi Val-d'Or QC
Reports courtesy Tour de l'Abitibi

Stage 1

The French National team reaped the rewards of its efforts during the first stage when Arnaud Demare squeaked by his rivals at the finish line. The French team had managed to stay well positioned during several sprints of the day's race between Preissac and Val-d'Or, the host city of the Tour de l'Abitibi. Their jerseys were clearly visible among the first ranks of the peloton upon the arrival of the cyclists at the city circuit.

The Quebecker Simon Lambert-Lemay placed second, and American Iggy Silva placed third. Both of the cyclists were on the wheel of Arnaud Demare, permitting them to record a time of 2 hours 10 minutes 57 seconds over the 95.4 km route.

The victorious French have reason to brag, having earned the three coveted jerseys: individual placement, total points and the best first-year junior.

Saturday's race saw some breakaways, one of which lasted some twenty kilometres. Australia and Japan were represented, however the Ukranian National team stayed out in front of the peloton throughout the distance.

Three crashes disrupted the race. Three cyclists, among them the only Val-d'Or participant, arrived back in Val-d'Or by ambulance.

Stage 2

The French National anthem was heard loud and clear Sunday evening in downtown Val-d'Or as three cousins from France dominated the podium at the Tour de l'Abitibi.

Boris Zimine and Arnaud Jouffroy persevered, against all expectations, during a breakaway that they instigated upon entering the criterium, ten kilometres from the finish. They proceeded to cross the finish line in 2 hours 5 minutes and 5 seconds, fourteen seconds before their compatriot Arnaud Demare arrived at the head of the pack.

The skilful manoeuvring of the French team thus allowed Boris Zimine to obtain the brown jersey and Arnaud Demare to keep the orange and blue jerseys.

This second stage of the Tour de l'Abitibi, extending over 91 kilometres, had begun a little earlier in St. Mathieu, near Amos. Just 15 kilometres into the race, a cyclist rear-ended one of the escort cars. For a second consecutive day, an ambulance was required to transport the cyclist into town.

Also of note during Sunday's stage, a breakaway consisting of four cyclists from Australia, Japan, Quebec (Ludovic Fleury) and the United States took shape between kilometre 20 and kilometre 46 of the route. At the height of their breakaway, the group of four had a one-and-a-half-minute lead on the pack.

Today will be the most eventful single day for the cyclists. In the morning, the individual time trials will take place, with a spectacular start 500 metres underground. Later in the day, the competitors will move to nearby Rouyn-Noranda to participate in an inner-city criterium.