June 8, 2005 — The inaugural Mardis a Lachine took place last night, opening the series for another season. “Les Mardis” as they are affectionately called, have a world-wide reputation as the fastest non-pro criterium in the world, with last season’s average speed clocked at 50 km/h.

Last night’s race got off to an interesting start with a few early crashes for excitement, as the excitable pack charged off. A short 15 minutes into the race, a small breakaway formed, consisting of Jean-Sébastien Maheu and Alexandre Cloutier both of Volkswagon /TREK; Junior David Veilleux of Elicycle Sports-Experts; Jean-Sébastien Béland of Gypco-Télé-Annonce; Joel
Dion-Poitras of SG Canada / Espoirs de Laval; and Dominique Perras, of Kodak Sierra Nevada. Dion-Poitras was dropped off the back after three laps, and rejoined the charging chase pack.

Initially disinterseted in the breakway, the pack began to bare down once they realized that only 20 minutes remained in the race. Members of team Gypco-Télé-Annonce lead the charge, dimishing the breakaway’s lead to a 10-second gap. The peloton’s efforts were unsuccessful though, and the breakway stayed out until the end of the race where a thrilled 21 year-old Jean-Sébastien Maheu took his first Mardi a Lachine in l hour 2 minutes and 22 seconds. Coming in second was perenial Mardis contender Alexander Cloutier of Volkswagon / TREK, and third was captured by 18 year junior rider for Elicycle Sports, David Veilleux.

Results
1. Jean-Sébastien Maheu, Volkswagen-Trek, 1h 22m 22
2. Alexandre Cloutier, Volkswagen-Trek
3. David Veilleux, Elicycle Sports-Experts
4. Dominique Perras, Kodak Sierra Nevada