For the third consecutive year, the town of Châteauguay played host to the world’s top female cyclists during the first stage of the Tour du Grand Montréal.
Riders were able to average 43 km/h on the flat, 5.7 km circuit, covering 85.5 km in 15 laps. Netherlands rider, Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team) took the lead in 1:58:42, followed by Americans Lauren Tamayo (Team Tibco) and Martine Bras (Selle Italia-Ghezzi).
Light rain and cool temperatures made for a challenging race, while a multiple rider crash caused a gap in the peloton. Joëlle Numainville (ESGL93 –GES Gestion), a young Quebec rider involved in the crash, was lapped by the group, but finished the race and will be starting in tomorrow’s stage. Top Canadian, Jenny Trew (Canadian National Team), finished in a remarkable thirteenth place.
Nikki Butterfield finished the stage in 49th place, Butterfield is riding for team Webcor Builders, will look to improve her position.
Four jerseys are at stake during the Tour du Grand Montréal: the yellow jersey (Quebec) and the sprint jersey (Argon 18), both being worn by Wild, as well as the Cheese’s of Switzerland top rider under-23 jersey, worn by Luxemburg’s Nathalie Lamborelle (Unique-Elk) The queen of the mountain jersey (Swiss International Air Lines) will be handed out following tomorrow’s stage.
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