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A Shake-up of Stages Promises an Exciting 31st Edition of Tour de Beauce June 15-19

release by the Tour de Beauce

June 06, 2016 (Saint-Georges, QC ) – The start of the 2016 Tour de Beauce will be given on June 15, and throughout the five days of intense and exciting racing, nearly 130 cyclists from 18 teams will compete for General Classification in this prestigious race for a total distance of 644 kilometers in the Chaudière-Appalaches, Estrie and Quebec regions. The 2016 edition of the Tour de Beauce will notably be marked by the presentation of a 70km criterium in Quebec City scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 18.

Canada's Ben Perry wins the final Stage 5 at the 30th Tour de Beauce  ©  Pasquale Stalteri

“Annually, the Tour de Beauce welcomes cyclists from around the world for a sporting event of international caliber. The majestic roads of Beauce and surrounding areas are now globally recognized by the cycling community, and, thanks in large part due to the Tour de Beauce,” said Francis Rancourt, Director General of the Tour. “This year, the fan-friendly crit race will take place at the heart of Quebec City is one not to be missed. This dramatic stage is sure to thrill the many spectators who will join us on the edge of course, with the start line located on the Grande Allée, near the Parc de la Francophonie. The 2-km circuit will be completed 35 times by the riders,” says Rancourt.

Francis Rancourt  ©  GP de Beauce
“We also take this opportunity to thank all our partners of municipal governments, which facilitate the usage of roads taken for the duration of the Tour de Beauce. The warm welcome we receive annually in different municipalities is remarkable and allows an exceptional touristic showcase for the regions visited,” continued Francis Rancourt.

The Tour de Beauce will start on Wednesday, June 15 in Saint-Georges with a 185-km race that will highlight the strategies of each team as the overall standings take shape.

Thursday, the peloton will face its first challenge in the second stage. The race will showcase climbers with the race finish at the top of the difficult climb of Mont-Mégantic, and after more than 170 kilometers in the saddle. The start of this stage will be given in the town of Lac-Mégantic, at the Mégantic Sports Centre.

Peloton in beautiful Beauce  ©  Pasquale Stalteri
The grueling 20-km individual time trial race will take place during the third stage, in Saint-Prosper, where local sensation David Drouin will show his skills in front of his home crowd race for the Canadian National Team.

Later in the day, the city of Saint-George will be the scene of a new 78km stage, which will leave the downtown core following the ceremonies surrounding the unveiling by Beauce Art, International Sculpture Festival of a monumental work in homage to the Tour de Beauce. The stage will finish after crossing the Sartigan Dam and the climb of 178th Street, which will challenge the climbers.

For a 25th consecutive year, Quebec City will host a stage of the Tour de Beauce. So to celebrate this quarter-century collaboration, the tour chose this year to present the spectacular criterium in the Vieille Capitale, Saturday, June 18.

Start of 30th annual Tour de Beauce  ©  Pasquale Stalteri
The 2016 Tour de Beauce champion will be crowned Sunday, June 19, after a 122.4 km stage contested on an urban circuit of 10.2 km in Saint-Georges, the centralized area where cyclists will be accommodated. This stage promises to be just as exciting as the riders will give it their all to climb in the General classification or protect their leaders.

The public is invited to cheer on the cyclists in large numbers during this final stage which will be preceded by a “Tailgate” organized by IGA Familles Rodrigue and Groleau. Free hot dogs, games for children will complement the stellar performance of the athletes, for a celebration of extraordinary fathers’ day!

Tour de Beauce 2016 — Stages
Stage 1 — June 15: Saint-Georges-Saint-Georges (185 km)
Stage 2 — June 16: Lac Mégantic/Parc National du Mont-Mégantic (169 km)
Stage 3a — June 17: Saint-Prosper (19.4 km) [Time Trial]
Stage 3b — June 17: Saint-Georges-Saint-Georges (78km)
Stage 4 — June 18: Ville de Québec (70 km) [Criterium: 35 laps of 2 km]
Stage 5 — June 19: Ville de Saint-Georges (122.4 km) [Urban Circuit: 12 laps of 10,2 km]
Total distance: 644 km

Tour de Beauce 2016 — Jerseys
Yellow Jersey Desjardins: Leader of the General classifications
White Jersey Hydro-Québec: Leader of the Points classifications
Polka Dots Jersey Procycle: Leader of the King of the Mountain classifications
Red Jersey Le Georgesville: Leader of the Best Young Riders classifications (U23)
Blue Jersey Ville de Québec: Winner of the Quebec Stage





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