43rd annual Tour de l’abitibi - Amos, Quebec, Canada – Day Three

Stages three and four are run off on the same day here at the 43rd annual Tour de l’abitibi. Morning time trial stage, afternoon road stage.

The 132 riders took off for their 12.3km time trial on a rolling course in one minute intervals. Kyle was the first off at 9:37 and Willy was the last off at 10:54am. We were able to follow Torey, James and Willy. Our goal was to place all six riders in the top thirty. It was a reasonable goal as we have strong time trialists. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a great day on course. A good day, just not a great day. Willy placed eight and moved into 5th on over GC. The team solidified its 3rd on Team GC. Some pictures are posted on the Team FaceBook page

Stage three results –
1- Colby Wait-Molyneaux, USA National
2- Michael Reidenbach, Colavita + 4sec
3- Kristo Jorgenson, USA National + 4sec
8- Willy Zellmer, Team Specialized + .29
21- Jeff Perrin, Team Specialized + .50
22- Kyle Torres, Team Specialized + .52
25- Torey Philipp, Team Specialized + 1minute
50- James LaBerge, Team Specialized + 1.29
55- David Benkoski, Team Specialized + 1.34


About six hours later the riders lined up for a 52km stage about an hour south of Amos. The weather has been either perfect or just a bit warm. For this stage the riders started out in 90 degree weather at 6pm and raced right into a rain cloud. They got drenched! With limited visibility and wet roads the riders and the staff get nervous. Thankfully the majority of the riders, including all of ours, stayed upright and safe… until the third to last corner when the first rider took himself out and our riders backed off and did not sprint. Therein lies a tale of how much we want to win yet, safety is always more important than taking unnecessary risks.

Stage four results –
1- Thibaut Boulanger, France National
2- Anthony Smorel, France National
3- Kevin Goulet, France National
37- Jeff Perrin, Team Specialized
60- Willy Zellmer, Team Specialized
71- James LaBerge, Team Specialized
98- Torey Philipp, Team Specialized
118- David Benkoski, Team Specialized
127- Kyle Torres, Team Specialized

General Classification, after four stages
1- James Oram, New Zealand
2- Dion Smith, New Zealand +.19
3- Colby Wait-Molyneaux, USA National +.20
4- Kristo Jorgenson, USA National + .24
5- Willy Zellmer, Team Specialized + .31
6- Jean Emile, Canada National + .37
7- Michael Reidenbach, Colavita + 39
21- Jeff Perrin, Team Specialized + 1.10
22- Kyle Torres, Team Specialized + 1.12
24- Torey Philipp, Team Specialized + 1.20
40- James LaBerge, Team Specialized +1.41
51- David Benkoski, Team Specialized + 1.54
130 finishers

Four stages down, three to go. Today is a 120km road race from Rouyn-Nourada to Amos and then into the circuits of Amos.

Au revoir, Larry