Live coverage replay: 2014 Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau road race

Optum is leading the field. The group is already splintering at the back alrady. No time for tail-gunning today.

Despite the high pace – the main field is all together at the moment.

Denise Ramsden (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) looked comfortable in the group on the second lap. Overall she seemed pretty relaxed about the race this morning before the start. This a course that is well-suited to her strengths.

The winds do seem to be picking up slightly – with the high pace it could split the field.

This morning was quite when I pre-rode the course at 6am. Despite there being no real climb on the course there are false flat sections that could catch some of the favourites off guard. Additionally with the uphill finish – timing will be crucial whether the spring from the main field or a small group.

Next lap is a prime – the group was single file and the attacks are coming.

Carrie Cartmill (Stevens – The Cyclery) has a 25-30 seconds gap on the peloton. She could take the prime. They are letting her go at the moment.

The wind seems to have died down actually.

Intermediate sprint coming soon….the group is coming down the ramp en route to the start/finish.

Cartmill takes the prime. She has a solid gap on the main field who were riding fast but not all out per se.

Cartmill was moving I couldn’t even get her in the photo.

Next prime is coming. Lap 6 – the ladies are on their fifth lap.

The group is all back together now. Cartmill is back in the group. Optum is on the front taking control of things.

The pace has definitely slowed. There is a sense of hesitation in the bunch. There are at least a dozen riders who have been dropped already. The pace was high for the first five laps and there is still a lot of racing to go – perhaps this is the mid-race lull.

It’s a prime lap – I have a feeling the intensity will rise again for the sprint and after.

There could be a counter-move following the sprint. At least the bigger teams will likely use that tactic.

In the real deal car

Stephanie roorda of SAS Mazda just attacked with Cartmill.

Lots of riders getting dropped. It’s hot and fast.

There appears to be a much smaller peloton up ahead.

Break with 18 second gap.

As expected the sixth lap the race got quite a bit more intense. The main field was absolutely blowing a part.

Seven riders in the move with 15 seconds ahead of the main group. All the big teams are in the move. Names to come soon. The race is happening now!

Gap is now 30 seconds.

Team Tibco is on the front now. The gap is 35 seconds to the break-away.

Allen (Team NCCH), , Wilcoxson (Optum), Roorda (SAS Mazda), Foreman-Mackey (Stevens – The Cyclery), Routley (Trek Red Truck) and Anika Todd (Tibco) all in the move on lap 8.

Now on lap nine – many gruppettos now. The race is is full gas now.

37km/hr for the first 2hrs of the race – on a course that isn’t flat. The speeds are higher now and it appears the wind is picking up too.

Tibco and Optum taking control of the race. Time will tell what happens. Some of the race’s main hitters are in the break. Should Tibco chase with Todd in the move?

Ramsden is in the move. With 3 laps to go. The peloton has sat up, Apparently Optum likes this one –

Albrecht, Glaesser, Ramsden all in the move.

Kirsti Lay (SAS-Mazda), Flavia Oliveira (Garneau Factory Racing), Denise Ramsden (Optum), Jasmin Glaesser (Tibco) – well that’s a Canadian move to say the very least. Justine Clift (West of Quebec Wheelers) has just bridged across as well.

Gap is now 45 seconds. Optum is liking this move – the main field has clearly slowed.

break is 1:10 up the road.

The break has clearly established itself – Kirsti Lay (SAS- Mazda) was driving the pace through the start finish with 2 laps remaining.

The gap is almost 2 minutes now.

Denise Ramsden had a minor mishap – but seems to have caught back onto the move.

Optum seems to be lifting the pace in the bunch. The gap is down to 1:25.

The gap is coming down, however it’s unlikely the break will be caught.

less than a half lap to go.

once again the gap is growing again 1:25 now. The winner will come from the break. Will anyone attack?

full results to come soon.

1) Ramsden
2) Oliveira
3) Glaesser
4) Albrecht

1) Denise Ramsden (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)
2) Flavia Oliveira (Garneau Factory Team)
3) Jasmin Glaesser (Tibco to the Top)
4) Lex Albrecht (Euipe du Quebec)
5) Kirsti Lay (SAS-Mazda-MacoGep)
6) Justine Clift (West of Quebec Wheelers)
7) Leah Kirchmann (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)
8) Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco to the Top)
9) Saman Schneider (Tibco to the Top)
10) Kirstin Lotito (Stan’s No Tube)

Thanks for tuning in. That’s a wrap. It was a fantastic day of racing, highlighted by Denise Ramsden’s finishing kick.

Check back for a full report.