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Friday, September 2, 2011

Les Mardis Cyclistes: July 12, 2011 David Veilleux wins stage 6




















Stage 6 Results: Top 5:

2. Dion Smith (Pure Black Racing)
3. Dominic Chalifoux (Trek-Bontrager)
4. Benjamin Martel (Team Spirit GTH Cannondale)
5. James Oram (Pure Black Racing)


Stage 6

  • Benjamin Martel and Dion Smith break away just prior to the halfway point of the race and within a few laps are joined by Dominic Chalifoux and David Veilleux who cease the opportunity and quickly bridge the gap from the main field.
  • David Veilleux propels the four man breakaway for more than half the race to a one minute plus lead over the peleton.and then easily out sprints his three breakaway rivals to win stage 6 of the Mardis Cyclistes series.
  • The New Zealand Junior National road team made a guest appearance and were a definite force to be reckoned with. They were present in just about every attack including the main break, landing two of their riders in the top 5.
  • Patrick Carpentier also made a guest appearance but was a non factor dropping out after just a few laps.
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Release by Mardis Cyclistes

Montréal, Tuesday, July 12 – David Veilleux (Europcar) scored his second stage victory this season at Tuesday’s Mardis Cyclistes. Veilleux, who is Canada’s reigning criterium champion, stopped the clock at 1:02:34 in the 50km senior men’s race in this evening's sixth stage. He also won the fourth stage on June 26. Meanwhile, his team mate, Thomas Voeckler, is leading the Tour de France on the other side of the Atlantic.


Early in the race, visiting New Zealand junior cyclist, Dion Smith (Pure Black Racing) and Benjamin Martel (Team Spirit) broke away from the pack, building up a 20 second lead. On the 12th of 31 laps, Veilleux launched a lightning attack on the pair, quickly bridging the gap. Dominic Chalifoux (Trek-Bontrager) followed Veilleux on this attack.


The group of four never looked back and finished the race with an average speed of 47.9 km/h. Veilleux easily took the final sprint, with Smith in second and Chalifoux third. Benjamin Martel finished fourth and missed the podium.


“It was too good of an opportunity to let slip by,” explained Veilleux. “When I launched my attack, only Chalifoux was able to follow. We rode fast to catch the two guys in front and then continued at a good pace to stay ahead of the pack. I was impressed by [Smith]; we’re going to have to watch out for him in the future.”


“My legs are a little tired,” admitted Smith, 18, who also finished fourth Sunday at the Iron Hill crit in West Chester, Pennsylvania before taking a 10 hour bus ride to Montreal. The junior cyclist raced both events against senior men. “My team mates didn’t have much time to get familiar with the race circuit here. We only just got into town this morning.”


Almost a full minute elapsed before the pack crossed the finish line, this time being led by James Oram (Pure Black), also of the New Zealand team. There were 83 cyclists in the senior men’s race.

In overall points, there was little change. Jean-François Laroche (Fantino Mondello – Régis) and Martin Gilbert (Spidertech) remain in first and second position respectively. In third place now is Veilleux but he is unlikely to take the series. “I am leaving for Europe at the end of July and will race in the Tour of Denmark.”
Gilbert also indicated that he will unlikely make the last three stage races in August. Gilbert was unsupported
by any of his team mates following recent crashes involving Guillaume Boivin and Keven Lacombe.


Patrick Carpentier had fun but did not finish


NASCAR driver Patrick Carpentier joined the crowd on the start line, riding as an independent. “I rode competitively for three or four seasons with the Espoirs Laval club when I was about 12 years old. Cycling has always been my passion; it is a sport that really helps you stay in shape but at the same time it is easy on your joints. It’s a perfect training sport to combine with automobile racing,” he explained just before the race. Carpentier, 39, said that he rode about 500km last week and set his objective as simply being to finish the 50km race. The pack let Carpentier lead the first lap to the amusement of the crowd. A mechanical problem forced Carpentier to DNF without completing the race.

“I had fun, but it was tough! The guys took off so fast after each curve that I felt like my legs would explode,” said Carpentier with a big smile. “I’ll be back, but as a spectator!”

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