July 18/12 11:20 am - Tour de l'Abitibi: Stage 1

Posted by Editoress on 07/18/12
 

It was an eventful first stage at the 44th Tour de l'Abitibi, which departed from the town of Amos and headed towards Rouyn-Noranda for the finish. Despite several crashes at the beginning, the athletes of the USA National Team managed to stand out by remaining at the head of the race for two hours. However, it was the newcomer Miguel Byron from Major Motion Selection A who took the win, as well as all the jersey honours, including best first year.

The pack was split in the race, with numerous falls on the road from Amos to Preissac and in the final criterium laps in the streets of Rouyn-Noranda. This did not stop three cyclists from the American National team from getting a head start of up to 1:45 on the rest of the teams. Curren, Daniel and Eisenhart from the USA National Team managed to maintain their breakaway for over 70 kilometres.

In spite of their lead, the three American cyclists were not able to get a place on the podium. Miguel Byron from USA Selection A, Alexandre Darville from USA National Team and Medina Robles Gerardo Vincente from Major Motion Development took the three first places, with a total time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 55 seconds. Byron stole the show by winning the blue, orange and brown jerseys for best first year, points leader and best ranked.

Wednesday's stage will bring the cyclists to La Sarre for the Mines Aurizon stage, which will begin at 5 pm. The cyclists will complete a distance of 106 kilometres, passing through Duparquet and ending in the hostess city of Rouyn-Noranda at approximately 7:30 pm.

Results from the first stage in Quebec