Jean wins Tour de Beauce opener

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Quebec's Émile Jean of the Silber Pro Cycling team won the first stage of the 32nd Tour de Beauce, after a well-launched attack in the last few kilometers. American Ian Garrison (Axon Hagens Berman), 19, took second place, followed by Travis McCabe (United Healthcare), 28, another American.

Émile Jean showed up at the finish line, alone with Garrison, for a difficult sprint on an upward slope of 300 meters.

Originally from Trois-Rivières, the winner of the day also won the second stage of the Saguenay Grand Prix Cycliste last Friday. The 23-year-old cyclist still had energy in the tank for this first stage in Saint-Georges. The long race of 185 kilometers took 4 h 33 min 30s of effort.

The first two on the podium crossed the finish line ten seconds ahead of a group of twenty riders.

"Last week's victory gave me confidence. I found myself in the right group and I knew I had chances. This is the stage I was aiming for," said the winner of the race.

In a cool and windy weather, the peloton rolled the first 50 kilometers at full speed, multiplying the attacks until the first group of eight riders managed to escape.

A second chase group broke their rhythm and all the teams were represented in the newly formed lead group comprised of 25 cyclists. Their lead climbed to more than 17 minutes. In the back, the other cyclists quickly realized that they had missed the train.

Leaving the road circuit of Saint-Odilon-de-Cranbourne, the leading men began the final battle. The American Chad Beyer (Canyon) was particularly active in opening this Tour de Beauce.

Not surprisingly, all the distinctive jerseys were swept up by members of this victorious breakaway.

Émile Jean put on the precious yellow jersey while the white jersey at points was worn by Travis McCabe.

For his part, Ignacio Sarabia Diaz (Inteja), will wear the jersey of best climber and Ian Garrison that of leader for the under 23 years.

Canadian Champion Bruno Langlois of Team Garneau-Québécor is in 11th position.

"At the start of the race, we were racing well insIde the break, but we saw more than 15 other guys coming back. The group was very numerous and several did not take over their role in the break," said the 38-year-old veteran who is well placed in the overall standings.

Several good climbers who have already lost their chances of final victory will want to redeem themselves on Thursday in the second stage of 170 kilometers that will leave from Lac-Mégantic at 10 am to finish at the summit of Mount Mégantic. Francisco Mancebo will be to watch.

The Silber Pro Cycling team could roll forward to protect their slim lead but the challenging yellow jersey should make some suffer in the terrible final ascent of nearly six kilometers.

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