June 2/11 22:43 pm - Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay: Stage 1

Posted by Editoress on 06/2/11
 

The first of of four stages of the Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay was won in a bunch sprint. Arnaud Demare (Team France) was victorious at the front of 58 riders, all finishing in the same time. Italies Sonny Colbrelli took 2nd and Canadian Hugo Houle was 3rd.

“I knew people were expecting me, and I was there” said the winner while he was still catching his breath. Visibly delighted by his performance, the winner of the fourth stage of 2010 added: “It is with great pleasure that I seized the yellow jersey”. Demare also put his 'hands' on the best young rider jersey and added to France’s lead in the Nations’ Cup ranking.

It was under an uncertain sky that the 67 riders started the 140.7 kilometre stage on Jonquiere’s streets. Early in the race, a breakaway of four cyclists went away. The fugitive quartet were caught just before completing the first lap. A few attacks were attempted during many laps, but none were successful.