Yesterday saw the fourth stage of our virtual stage race, presented by Bioracer Canada. On Sunday’s program was a 28-kilometer high-mountain stage on the “Lutscher” course, with two (or almost two) times the Innsbruck KOM.
Two weeks after a fast, flat time trial, it was time to return to altitude for participants in the Triathlon Québec virtual stage race. For both men and women, The favourites were on hand, with overall leader Andrée-Anne Dumont, Quebec junior champion Noémie Beaulieu and Joannie Sanche among the ladies. On the men’s side, Quebec Elite/U23 champion and first stage winnerThomas Bilodeau was on the starting line, accompanied by provisional leader Olivier Forest and runner-up Charles Perreault.
Meet-up women
In the women’s category, Andrée-Anne Dumont (55’33 “”) once again dominated the stage. Although the athletes arrived in groups at the foot of the first climb, Andrée-Anne killed the suspense in the very first hectometres of the climb. Noémie Beaulieu tried to hang on, but it soon became mission impossible, and she found herself on the chase throughout the day’s first difficulty between the overall leader and a group comprising Joannie Sanche, Marie-Ange Hébert, Line Vaillancourt and Claudie Simard. While Noémie and her pursuers regrouped after the descent, the second ascent confirmed the strengths of the first, with Noémie Beaulieu (57’19 “”) finishing second ahead of Joannie Sanche (58’04 “”).
At the end of this fourth stage, Andrée-Anne Dumont retains the overall lead ahead of Noémie Beaulieu, while Joannie Sanche takes third place. These three athletes are also in the top three of the mountain classification. In the best young rider rankings, the Gatineau athlete retains first place ahead of Marie-Ange Hébert and Charlotte Guay Julien.
Men’s meet-up
After an imperfect start, for which we apologize and for which we take responsibility due to a technical problem, the men attacked the descent at high speed right up to the foot of the first climb. As on stage 2, Oliver Forest quickly took the lead and held on to it until the finish (47’22 “”). Behind him, a group comprisingAlex Bainville, Charles (Chuck) Perreault, Nicolas Proulx-Bégin, Jérémie Martin, Ernest St-Pierre and Samaël Fleury-Nadeau battled it out on the first climb. Behind them, Thomas Bilodeau put in an incredible effort on 11% slopes, eventually catching up with the chasing group before overtaking them and crossing the summit in second place. As in the women’s race, the descent favoured a regrouping and a group made up of Charles Perreault, Thomas Bilodeau, Charles Beaulme, Nathan Grondin, Jérémie Martin and Samaël Fleury-Nadeau began the second ascent together. As expected from his first ascent, Thomas Bilodeau (48’42 “”) quickly pulled away to finish second ahead of Samaël Fleury-Nadeau (48’57 “”).
In the overall standings, Olivier Forest consolidates his first place ahead of Chuck Perreault and Thomas Bilodeau. We also find these three athletes in the first three places in the mountain ranking, along with Samaël Fleury-Nadeau in third ex-aequo. In the best young rider ranking, Samaël Fleury-Nadeau maintained his first place ahead of Nathan Grondin and Léandre Binette.
[av_icon_box icon=”ue910″ font=”tq” title=”Note” position=”left” icon_style=”” boxed=”” font_color=”” custom_title=”” custom_content=”” color=”” custom_bg=”” custom_font=”” custom_border=”” custom_title_size=”” av-medium-font-size-title=”” av-small-font-size-title=”” av-mini-font-size-title=”” custom_content_size=”” av-medium-font-size=”” av-small-font-size=”” av-mini-font-size=”” heading_tag=”” heading_class=”” link=”” linktarget=”” linkelement=”” id=”” custom_class=”” av_uid=”av-2e0mglbo” admin_preview_bg=””]
We have taken note of the comments exchanged on social networks and are assessing what we can implement in the short term to ensure greater transparency in the results.
In particular, the top 8 in the cumulative points ranking will be required to wear a cardio frequency meter during the last event, have a zwiftpower account and a fixed training base. As at present, athletes will be able to couple their power with the training base or their power sensor, and the top 3 may be required to provide double validation (base and power sensor).
We have also taken note of various suggestions for future stages or series to satisfy different athlete clienteles. Over the next few weeks, we will be developing a set of rules for virtual competitions. If you’d like to get involved in its creation, please let us know at jpiole@triathlonquebec.org and/or fsarrasinlarochelle@triathlonquebec.org.
[/av_icon_box]
General rankings
Women – General
Women – Best Young
Women – Mountain classification
Men’s – General
Men – Best Youth
Men – Mountain Classification
Find all the results on our page dedicated to the Triathlon Québec virtual stage race.
Note: if some participants do not appear in the fourth stage ranking, please contact us so that we can rectify this.
