June 5/14 16:05 pm - Grand Prix Saguenay: Stage 1 report, photos and results

Posted by Editoress on 06/5/14
 

The first stage of the inaugural Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay was held Thursday in La Baie, Quebec, and Eric Young of Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies took top honours on the 166.1 kilometre, 11 lap race of a 15.1 kilometre circuit.

The race started with a very fast pace right from the sound of the gun, with a group of 30 riders controlling the race. In the first few kilometres, the group took off on a breakaway and stayed together for about 30 kilometres before they were caught by the bunch.

A smaller breakaway group consisting of seven riders then formed. In the seventh lap, four riders joined the breakaway, but the pack quickly responded to this move, closing the gap at the end of the seventh lap, just before crossing the start/finish line where the crowd had gathered.

The main bunch stayed together at that point until the final lap, when breakaway away attempts multiplied in the last ten kilometres. As expected, all these attacks were very quickly controlled and the race was decided by a bunch sprint.

Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies' Eric Young wins the first stage of the  Grand Prix Saguenay

Photo Gallery

With less than 100 metres to go, the sprint was initiated and it was Optum's sprinter Young that crossed the finish line first, ahead Martijn Verschoor Team Novo Nordisk and Canadian Pierrick Naud of Garneau-Quebecor in third.

"We knew that the hill would be kind of a sting in the legs, and as a sprinter I was kind of worried about that. We had to make it through the climbs and [ensure] that the team was in all the moves. We did a pretty good job with all of that and once we figured it would be a sprint finish, got all the guys together, stay fuelled up and get ready for the sprint," commented Eric Young, who dons both the leader's yellow jersey and the green jersey as leader of the points classification.

Young is the National Champion of the United States in the criterium, and should be a formidable force in the event Saturday evening, presented in Chicoutimi. "The time gaps aren't big, so let's hope it finishes again in a sprint tomorrow. I'm guessing that if a breakaway makes it through to the finish tomorrow, well, that's the GC. We have to stay heads up, and it's still full on racing tomorrow."

Pierrick Naud, meanwhile, is very happy with his third place. "I think with the performance in Europe lately, my form is excellent. It is certain that with the time difference between Europe and here, we were not too convinced at first. As the race progressed, the better I felt. At the end of the race, my teammates have all worked well to position me for the sprint. I was very well placed at the last turn."

"Travelling in Europe has been a bit of preparation for this race. We had two big races, and it allowed me to regain some form that I missed from the winter. I hope it goes well go for the rest of the Grand Prix," said Naud.

With respect to criterium, Naud has confidence in his team. "Garneau has done very well this year at criteriums. It is certain that we will try to give all we've got for the race on Saturday."

The classification for the King of the Mountain is led by Luca Benedetti of Team Amore & Vita, who collected the most points in this first stage, 14 points, and will wear the Polka Dot Jersey on Friday. Benedetti secured the jersey by winning the first two sprints of the Grand Prix de la Montagne.

The white jersey of Best Young Rider (U23) will be worn on Friday by Asbjorn Kragch Andersen of the Danish team Christina Watches-Kuma.

The first stage was dedicated in honor of Philippe Boivin, a cycling enthusiast and longstanding volunteer who passed earlier this year after heart issues. The wife of Mr. Boivin was present at start of the race and received a bouquet of flowers.

The race continues tomorrow with the second stage, still in La Baie. This second stage will cover 170.4 kilometres with lots of climbing, including a two kilometre section with a grade between 8% and 10%.

Report courtesy Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay

Full results from the first stage in Quebec