June 9, 2009 (Lachine, QC) — It was Hugo Houle (Garneau-Club Chaussure Ogilvy) who put on a one-man show to won the first stage of the 32nd annual 10-stage Mardis Cyclistes Saputo series. Houle, without any team mates to help him, beat out defending champion, Jean Francois Laroche (Pro Bike Pool/Kuota) in the pouring rain. Pierre-Olivier Boily (Pro Bike Pool/Kuota) rounded out the podium in this 50km race.

This evening’s races were marked by crashes. The faces of the riders were so covered with mud that it was sometimes difficult to recognize them. Also racing here this evening were the junior men, junior women, minime boys and minime girls.

Next week, June 16, sees special guests Floyd Landis, Cameron Evans (Can), Bobby Lea, John Murphy and Rory Sutherland of the American-based OUCH Presented by Maxxis team competing against the field. Landis who won the 2006 Tour de France was stripped of that title after a positive doping test. Come see the action around LaSalle Park in Lachine starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.

Results (brief)

1. Hugo Houle (Garneau-Club Chaussure Ogilvy)
2. Jean-François Laroche (Pro Bike Pool Kuota)
3. Pierre-Olivier Boily (Pro Bike Pool Kuota)

Stage 1 full results here.