Coquard wins the Challenge Sprint Pro in Quebec City

On Thursday some of the world’s best sprinters competed in the Challenge Sprint Pro on the Grand-Allée in Quebec City. The event is a precursor to the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec. Bryan Coquard (Europecar) won the elimination event ahead of Moreno Hofland (Belkin), Giaccomo Nizzolo (RadioShack) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana). The final four-rider heat was a display of cat-and-mouse tactics and brute strength. Holfand jumped early, which caught the other three riders off guard. It was a great tactic and effort, however, Coquard was able to use this attack as a springboard to go for the win.

“It was a really close call,” said Coquard. “Hofland really caught me off guard. I managed to pull him back. I really love this event because I come from the track.” Bryan Coquard is in the midst of his transition to road racing as in 2012; he was a silver medalist on the track in London.

Defending Challenge Sprint Champion and Canadian favourite Zach Bell (Team Canada) was unable to advance from the semi-finals. The same is true for local favourite, Remi Pelletier-Roy (Garneau-Quebecor).

Full results can be found at the Grand Prix de Cycliste Quebec.