July 20/12 22:41 pm - Tour de l'Abitibi: Stage 5 report and results

Posted by Editoress on 07/20/12
 

Today, the race returned to the region of Temiscamingue. The pack stayed together in a fairly tight group for the 103 km of the fifth stage, which was led once again by American riders. Miguel Byron from USA Selection A, who won all three jerseys during the first stage, took the win, followed closely by Brandon Eltz from Team Canada and Alexander Darville from Team United States. Despite the warm temperature and the most rolling course so far, the cyclists maintained a fast pace of 43 km/h, for a total time of 2 hours 23 minutes 13 seconds.

New faces on the podium made little difference to the general classification, which remains unchanged. The blue, orange and brown jersey's go the three racers from Team USA: Eisenhart, Owen and Darville. The American cyclists maintain the the six first places in the general classification.

For his part, the Canadian Chris Prendergast collected numerous points by winning the two King of the Mountain competitions, taking the second position as best climber, behind Eisenhart who has a seven point advantage. 

Saturday, the Tour de l’Abitibi and the Tour de la Relève Desjardins take on the streets of Rouyn-Noranda.

The cyclists will leave from the university in Rouyn-Noranda and will ride up to Rollet, and will then return the city to complete three circuits in the streets of Rouyn-Noranda, for a total distance of 115.7 km. The Tour de la Relève Desjardins also starts Saturday, with numerous competitions for athletes aged 6 to 16.  All the deparatures and arrivals will take place in front of the university.

Tour de l’Abitibi press release

Photo gallery (all stages so far)

Results from the fifth stage of the 44th Tour de l'Abitibi, in Quebec