March 12/20 12:23 pm - Tour de Gatineau Releases Race Details

Posted by Editoress on 03/12/20
 

Late last year, it was announced that the UCI 1.1 sanction Gatineau road race and time trial for women were cancelled [see GP Gatineau Cancelled for 2020]. Cycling Canada quickly announced that it would be saved, and it has, by a group including the West of Quebec Wheelers and long-time Ottawa-area organizer John Large. It will take place, as originally planned, on June 4-5.

While the website - www.tourdegatineau.ca - is still a couple of weeks from being fully operational, teams are being signed up and we have some course information.

The start/finish of the road race (June 4th) has been moved to West Aylmer - the same location as the National Championship Criterium in 2016-2017. Riders will head along Highway 148 after a 2.4 kilometre neutralized section in a rolling enclosure to the Gatineau Park, and then join the previous circuit, with the 20 kilometre long climb and descent loop. After four laps, they head back to finish in Aylmer. The race will have 800 metre gravel section starting at 125.3 kilometres at just under six kilometres to go. The race will total 131.1 kilometres.

The following day, the Chrono will take place. It will be 26 kilometres, and start and finish in the same location as the National Championships in 2016-2017, with the climb up to Black Lake and return descent to the finish line.

Race director Louise Lalonde says that so far they have had the national team of Sierra Leon and European Continental squad Cogeas have applied for visas, and North American confirmed entries include Rally, Tibco, Red Truck and the Canadian national team, as well as regional squads West of Quebec Wheelers and Selection de la Capitale Regionale.

Teams looking to enquire about entry should contact Lalonde at louisevelo@gmail.com