Quebec native keeps team’s roll going at his “home” race
June 13, 2007 – Vallée-Jonction, Quebec – In today’s second stage of the Tour de Beauce, Quebec native Francois Parisien led the charge from Team Slipstream on his home turf and kept the team’s momentum going following teammate Danny Pate’s strong ride in Stage 1.
Just 40km into the 170km stage, a promising breakaway rolled off the front of the peloton, including all the major teams except Slipstream. Just as the peloton was settling down to let the breakaway test itself, Parisien snuck off the front and managed to bridge to the break.
With Parisien on board, the breakaway had the numbers and the dynamic to work well together, and maintained a consistent 5 minute advantage for most of the day.
With 20km remaining, Navigators rider Glen Chadwick attacked over the top of the final KOM climb and managed to hold on to a small lead for the rest of the race. Hard work by Parisien and fellow-Quebecois Charles Dionne narrowed Chadwick’s lead to 20 seconds, but couldn’t quite pull him back.
In the end, Parisien used a strong sprint to take 2nd in the group, for 3rd overall on the stage. Team Slipstream’s Alex Howes, Danny Pate, and Ian MacGregor finished with the main pack, just over five minutes behind.
For the overall Tour de Beauce standings, Danny Pate remains the team’s GC threat, sitting in 8th place overall, just 0:36 down. Tomorrow’s stage will certainly continue to shake up the race, with an infamous finishing climb to the top of Mont Megantic (600m of elevation gain over the last 25km of the race).
