Home > News

Preview: 2014 Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau road race

June 6, 2014
Share on SMS

Gatineau

On Saturday, a world-class women’s field will race the 2014 Grand Prix Cycliste Gatinuau road race. The start list includes many of our top Canadians, including the 2012 Canadian national champion Denise Ramsden (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) and her teammate Joëlle Numainville. Lex Albrecht, who is in top condition following her second-place finish at the Philly Classic this past weekend, will be racing for the Equipe du Quebec.

The elite women’s field will complete 12 laps of the 10.18-km circuit for a total of 122 km. The course features undulating terrain and some technical off-camber corners. If it is a windy day, the wide-open roads in some sections could prove selective, forcing echelons when the speeds are higher. In the past, there have been breakaways, however, the long straightaway of Boul. des Allumettières typically allows the main peleton to gain a lot of speed, which hinders the chances for a break.

The course is unique in that it effectively turns around twice at opposite ends. The final turn is through a wide roundabout approximately 400 ms from the line. Positioning will be crucial going into the final 180-degree turn, whether a rider is in the main field or in a break. Depending on the wind and conditions of the day, the race could play into the hands of a powerful breakaway even though the course is better suited for a field sprint. It’s likely that aggressive riders such as Anika Todd of Team Tibco and Lauren Hall of Optum could force a move. Hall is a rouleur and she was third last weekend in Philadelphia. It’s likely that riders less suited for a field sprint will strive to form a winning move.

The race itself will be a fantastic opportunity for local racers to test their legs against more seasoned professionals. Trek Red Truck presented by Mosaic homes, West of Quebec Wheelers, Real Deal/Gears p/b Waspcam and Stevens-The Cyclery are among some of the top local squads competing.

The start list is available and our live coverage of the event will start 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Categories: News |