June 27/06 9:37 am - Coupe De La Paix Cycliste: Stage 4 & Final GC

Posted by Editoress on 06/27/06
 

Coupe De La Paix Cycliste

A Trying Final Stage
Courtesy La Coupe de la Paix
Translated by Evi Arsenault

With Mother Nature’s gracious agreement, the final stage of La Coupe de la Paix was a thrill to spectators and riders yesterday in Blainville. Anne Samplionus (Biovail) showed her abilities by winning Stage Four, while Benjamen Martel (Sleeman Clear Énergie) won the men’s race with a splash.

The women attacked the race, climbing the a pernicious hill twenty-one times. With twelve laps to go, Merrill Collins (La Bicicletta), in the leader’s jersey launched an attack with only Anne Samplonius (Biovail) able to follow here. The two parted from the pack and stayed away the rest of the race. Émilie Roy (Québec Cycle Centrifuge), the winner of Stage Three, tried to catch the flying duo five laps later but despite her efforts her work was to no avail. As a result, Samplonius was first to cross the finish line, followed by Collins and Roy.

In the General Classement, Collins retains the first place overall, while Gina Grain (Colavita), with a fourth place in Stage Four, maintains second. Samplonius is in third and Roy in fourth. Roy expressed happiness at her fourth place in the Classement General reasoning that “There are some pretty big names in the top three!”

In the men’s race, with only six of the thirty-three laps completed Australian Sean Finning (southaustralia.com-AIS) made a solo break. He was joined twelve laps later by a group consisting of Alexandre Nadeau and Benjamen Martel (Sleeman Clear Énergie), as well as Dominique Rollin (VC Roubaix) and Australian Wes Sulzberger (southaustralis-AIS), the duo leading the Classement General. The race continued with the same lead group, eventually doubling the peloton with four laps to the finish line. Martel won his first race in the Coupe de la Paix series, while Finning grabbed second place, just before Nadeau who took third. For the pack sprint, the Aussies once again played their cards right, with Sulzberger getting to the line before Rollin who as a result lost his position in first place of the Classement General. Martin Barras’s protegés, Sulzberger and Finning, finish first and third in the Classement General respectively, while Rollin slid to second place.

La Coupe de la Paix was an excellent showcase for many athletes who will be participating in the Canadian Road Championships which will take place in Quebec City from June 29 to July 2. From all accounts, riders were pleased with the event and plan to return next year.

As for Dominique Rollin who is currently riding with a French team, also confirmed that he will be taking part in the Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine Saputo this week; another not-to-be-missed rendez-vous!