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Derek Gee given a hero’s welcome at Preston Street Criterium

The revelation of the Giro made an appearance at the Ottawa race

Derek Gee and kids in Ottawa Photo by: Jon Gee
June 20, 2023
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Local riders must have heaved a sigh of relief when they learned Israel – Premier Tech’s Derek Gee wasn’t actually racing at the Preston Street Criterium. Gee, who wowed the world with his four seconds, two fourths and 22nd overall during the Giro d’Italia, was back home in the Ottawa area. He’s only in town a few days before he heads out to Edmonton to defend his national TT title.

Derek Gee and the Gee-Ro

“Of course Derek was a huge highlight of the day and he couldn’t take a step without somebody wanting to shake his hand or get a picture with him or have him sign a souvenir,” race organizer, Doug  Corner said. Pink “Gee-Ro” t-shirts were on display everywhere. No surprise that the media wanted to talk to Derek and he responded with the grace and style that makes him so well liked by all.”

Derek Gee meets with local kids on Saturday

Derek Gee meets with local kids on Saturday

Of course, there was still a race going on. Laury Milette won the Elite, junior, master women’s race, and Nicolas Cote took the Elite, M1 men’s race.

The Israel – Premier Tech rider won Preston Street in 2017

Corner said that just like the year that Gee won Preston Street back in 2017, the 25-year-old showed his appreciation for those who help put on the long-running race.

“A true hometown superstar. Derek did his walk around the course and all of the volunteers who are so essential for a successful event got some up close and personal time with him along with his Dad, Jon, on the very appropriate Father’s Day,” Corner said.

Preston Street Criterium

Elite, junior, master women 37 km; avg speed: 39.1 kph
1 MILETTE, Laury (Grand Est-Komugi-La Fabrique) – RWU23.1
2 PRIMEAU, Pénélope (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
3 UJFALUSI, Lilly (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
4 LEBRETON, Madeline (The Cyclery Racing) – RWE.1
5 LYLYK, Kiara (The Cyclery Racing) – RWE.1
6 GOUDSWAARD, Skyler (The Cyclery Racing) – RWE.1
7 PRIMEAU, Camille (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
8 BROSSEAU, Fanny (iBike) – RWE.1
9 SHAFFER, Rachel (Vertige Performance) – RWE.1
10 DUPONT, Victoria () – RWE.1
11 GABELIER, Iris (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
12 GIN, Elizabeth (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
13 WILLIAMS, Mallory (Ottawa Bicycle Club) – RWE.1
14 LAVERGNE, Jazmine (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
15 HEMPSTEAD, Lucy (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
16 LA GRENADE, Alicia (Quebecor/Stingray) – RWJ
17 SURGENOR, Whitney (The Cyclery Racing) – RWE.2
18 BRAZEAU, Maude (Quebecor/Stingray) – RWJ
19 WEBB CHARLAND, Allyson (ECF Communimed) – RWE.1
20 POLL, Charlotte (Ottawa Bicycle Club) – RWJ
21 GAUTHIER, Lea (Quebecor/Stingray) – RWJ
22 ARSENAULT, Ariane (Vertige Performance) – RWE.1
23 GABELIER, Eva (Primeau Velo Racing) – RWE.1
24 MAYRAND, Isabelle (ECF Communimed) – RWE.1
25 DESROCHERS LAFLAMME, Camille () – RWE.1
26 CHASE, Greta (Ascent Cycling) – RWE.3
27 IWANOWSKI, Hilary (Agowatt) – RWMB
28 TONG, Vivian (Saddle Sisters of High Park) – RWE.3
29 LE LIEU, Nina (Agowatt) – RWMB
30 STROUD, Raylan (Shadow Elite) – RWE.3
31 EVERSON, Sara (The Cyclery Racing) – RWE.2
32 DUQUETTE, Karen () – RWE.3
33 DEAVY, Carol (Agowatt) – RWMB

Elite, master 1 men 46 km; avg speed: 44.5 kph

1 COTE, Nicolas (iBike) – RME.1
2 SHERAR, Matthew (Ascent Cycling) – RME.1
3 STOPPA, Brett (OBC, XSpeed United Continental) – RME.1
4 DE HAITRE, Vincent () – RME.2
5 MEHLOMAKULU, Zola (Ascent Cycling) – RME.1
6 DUARTE, Filipe (Ottawa Bicycle Club) – RME.1
7 VARABEI, Anton (Toronto Hustle) – RME.1
8 BERCZYNSKI, Casper () – RME.1
9 CARUANA, Chris (ka.dre CHPT3 x Aquila) – RME.2
10 FAZIO, Joe (RealDeal Racing) – RME.2
11 BÉLANGER-MELANÇON, Pierre-Luc (Les Rouleurs Polo-Velo) – RME.2
12 DE LA DURANTAYE, Olivier (iBike) – RME.1
13 PICARD FISET, Jeremy (Les Rouleurs Polo-Velo) – RME.1
14 MARTINS, Henrique (Ottawa Bicycle Club) – RME.2
15 KINCAID, Theodore (Specialized Passion Project) – RME.1
16 FAUCHER, Marc-André (Les Rouleurs Polo-Velo) – RMM.1
17 PURIFICATI, Justin (Ride With Rendall p/b Biemme) – RME.1
18 BISSON, Jonathan (Les Rouleurs Polo-Velo) – RMM.1
19 BORDUAS, Mathieu (Rocket Factory) – RME.1
20 O’FARRELL, Derek (Les Rouleurs Polo-Velo) – RMM.1
21 GRENIER, Francis (Les Rouleurs Polo-Velo) – RME.1
22 CÔTÉ, Nicolas (iBike) – RME.1
23 ZAGAR, Myles () – RME.2
24 BAKKER, Osmond (Bakker’s Trailblazers) – RME.1
25 WOODFORD, Theodore (Ride With Rendall p/b Biemme) – RME.2
26 CANTIN, Dominic (iBike) – RME.1

Full results available at ExtremeRoad.com