Voeckler wins as ProTour makes first top in North America

The first-ever UCI ProTour race in North America was a big success Friday in Quebec City. A total of 173 cyclists from 22 professional cycling teams took the start at Battlefields Park in front of the fortified gates of Old Quebec. The peloton filed past some of the most historic and beautiful sites of the City of Quebec, which recently celebrated its 400th anniversary.

“The event was certainly beyond expectations for a one-day cycling event. The crowds were spectacular, the race was top-notch and a nice champion won the event. It had all the elements to be a spectacular sporting event,” said Steve Bauer, Directeur sportif for the Canadian cycling team formed exclusively for the event.

“From start to finish, the team rode superb. Parisien represented the team in the break which was important for the riders behind to relax. Veilleux attempted to make the counter attack. We had some guys in contention for the win in the final straight, right to the last kilometre. Little more depth in the fitness and a couple tougher races and he (Lacombe) would be there for the win. It’s a matter of time, and the guys did Canada proud,” added Bauer.

French cyclist Thomas Voekler won Friday crossing the finish line with a time of 4h 35m 26s in the final sprint within the last kilometre. Norwegian cyclist Edvald Boasson Hagen of Team Sky took second while Robert Gesink, of Team Rabobank, grabbed third. Canadian Ryder Hesjedal finished fourth.

The race, which has been relatively quiet for the first 10 laps, heated up with two laps to go when the peloton caught up to the leading group. The front group was very active with several changes of leaders within the last few minutes. Jakob Fuglsang (Team Saxo Bank) won the Top Climber’s jersey, a jersey that was won by climbing the famous Côte de la Montagne, challenging the riders to a 13 per cent climb for 160 meters.

The top Canadian was Hesjedal while his Garmin-Transitions team won the best team award. Eight Canadians were representing Team Canada including Cervelo-Test Team’s Dominique Rollin (Boucherville, QC), who finished in 43rd place. Keven Lacombe (Montreal, QC) was the best of the Canadian team, taking 24th place, just 20 seconds behind the winner. Hesjedal’s teammate, Svein Tuft, finished 20^th.

 Now comes the Montreal ProTour race Sunday on a tough route that repeatedly climbs up and over Mont Royale.

“Montréal looks very positive, and I am looking forward to Sunday. With one race on their legs, some riders will be a little bit more tuned, and I am hoping our fresh guys David (Boily), Rob (Britton) and Ryan (Anderson) can contribute substantially to the overall effort and that they will come through with the required strength. Montreal will certainly require more sustained efforts on the climb and I believe that there is no hiding on that race course. A World Champion contender will win the race, without a doubt,” explained Bauer of the Montreal race coming up.

 WINNERS
Winner : Thomas Voekler (Bbox Bouygues Telecom)
Most combative : Dominik Nerz (Team Milran)
Best climber : Jakob Fuglsang (Team Saxo Bank)
Best Canadian : Ryder Hesjedal, Victoria, BC (Garmin-Transitions)
Best team : Garmin-Transitions 

TOP 10
1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) – Bbox Bouygues Telecom
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) – Team Sky
3. Robert Gesink (Ned) – Rabobank
4. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) – Garmin-Transitions
5. Staf Scheirlinckx (Bel) – Omega Pharma-Lotto
6. Alessandro Ballan (Ita) – BMC Racing Team
7. Fabian Wegman (Ger) – Team Milram
8. Maxime Monfort (Bel) – Team HTC Columbia
9. Francesco Reda (Ita) – Team QuickStep
10. Damiano Cunego (Ita) – Lampre-Farnese Vini
—-
20. Svein Tuft (Can) – Garmin-Transitions
24. Keven Lacombe (Can) – Team Canada
31. David Veilleux (Can) – Team Canada
36. Charles Dionne (Can) – Team Canada
43. Dominique Rollin (Can) – Team Canada
69. Guillaume Boivin (Can) – Team Canada
73. Will Routley (Can) – Team Canada
106. Bruno Langlois (Can) – Team Canada
DNF. François Parisien (Can) – Team Canada