Pate makes break and finishes in 6th place

June 12, 2007 - Lac Etchemin, Quebec - In today’s opening stage of the 22nd Tour de Beauce (in the Beauce region of Quebec), Team Slipstream/Chipotle’s Danny Pate made the day’s decisive breakaway and ended up coming in 6th place on the stage.

After an early solo move was absorbed by the peloton, Pate was able to join a select group of 14 off the front. These riders built a sizeable lead and even held off a promising chase group that featured Pate’s teammate and former Canadian National Champ, Francois Parisien, who was along for the free ride.

With just over 10 km to go in the race, one rider escaped for the win, and Pate held on for 6th in the final group sprint.

Behind, the peloton was shattered thanks to the relentlessly rolling and windy Beauce countryside, and Slipstream’s Parisien, Alex Howes, and Ian MacGregor all rolled through with the main group of 30 or so.

Unfortunately for the team, sprinters Brad Huff and Mike Friedman succumbed to a severe stomach bug during the race and weren’t able to finish.

Stay tuned for more updates, as Danny Pate looks to be in solid contention now for the overall title - and is certainly looking to improve on his 3rd place overall result in last year’s edition.