July 29, 2014 (Lachine, QC) – Pierrick Naud (Quebecor Garneau) won stage 8 of the 37th season of Mardis Cyclistes presented by Jean Coutu, with a time of 1:00:56 over 50 km, averaging 49.2 km / h.  Elliott Doyle (Silber Pro) followed closely in second and Simon Lambert-Lemay (Garneau Quebecor), completed the podium. The three crossed the finish almost at the same instant.

“It was good teamwork,” said Naud. “We worked well to control the race. Simon already has enough points and he let me win. “

“No, I’m not disappointed,” Doyle said, “It was a good day; very satisfactory. Elbows were coming out at the end and I was lucky to have avoided the crash.” Doyle also said that he intended to return to the Lac St-Jean that evening.

There were 98 riders to the start line, including many Mardis regulars and one woman, Joelle Numainville (Optum). She finished the race, saying it was “cool” and a good workout. Numainville was the Canadian road champion in 2013 and is one of only a handful of women qualified to race with the pro-elite men.

Simon Lambert-Lemay (Garneau Quebecor) widened his lead in the general classification (GC) with 693 cumulative points and will again be wearing the leader’s yellow jersey (Jean Coutu) next Tuesday. He is followed by teammate, Pierrick Naud with 601 points; Naud will be wearing the red jersey (Specialized-Quilicot) on August 5. Stephen Keeping (Transport Lacombe) the following with 501 points and will be wearing the green jersey (Desjardins caisse populaire Provost Lachine) next week.

There was a crash involving a dozen riders towards the end of the pro-elite race, but few other details are available.

Marie Soleil Blais wins women’s race

In women, Marie Soleil Blais (Realdealgears) won the 24 km race, followed by Rosalie Cardin-Houde (SAS-Mazda) and `Anne-Marie Morin (independent) third. However, it is Adriane Provost (SAS-Mazda) who leads the GC with 262 points, followed Blais, with 259 points. Provost crashed just before the finish and barely held onto her lead.

Among the juniors, Gabriel Drapeau Zgoralski (CCB Ultime Vélo) won the race with a time of 32:46 over 24 km. He was followed by Edward Bourassa (cc Lévis) in second position, followed by Thierry Kirouac Marcassa (NCCH) in third.  Because of previous wins, Kirouac Marcassa leads the GC with 341 points.

As for minimes, Emile Vézina Coulombe (cc Lévis Subaru) clinched the victory among the boys with a time of 11:26 p.m. over 16 km, followed by Antoine Dalterio (Espoirs Laval). However Dalterio leads GC with 431 points. Among the girls, Sandrine Heroux (CCB Ultime Vélo) won first place, but it is her teammate, Emma Delisle who leads the GC with 395 points.

It was sunny but cool Tuesday evening in Lachine; some spectators even wore coats.

The Mardis Cyclistes are presented every Tuesday until August 12, evening of the grand finale to close the 37th season. This series of ten (10) stages of races is spread over 10 weeks. The circuit is around the Lasalle Park, located in the Montreal borough of Lachine (STM bus 90). The race for minimes starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by junior category competition, women, (6 p.m.), ending with the Pro-Elite Cup at 6:50 p.m. The races are free for spectators.

Results
1. Pierrick Naud (Garneau-Québecor)
2. Elliot Doyle (Silber Pro Cycling)
3. Simon Lambert-Lemay (Garneau-Québecor)

Overall

1. Simon Lambert-Lemay (Garneau-Québecor) 693 points
3. Pierrick Naud (Garneau-Québecor) 601
3. Steven Keeping (Transports Lacombe Devinci) 520