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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).

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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.