September 15, 2011 (Lachine, QC) – Pedal has learned that Quebec’s popular and long standing Mardis Cyclistes criterium series has lost its title sponsor, Saputo. There has been no official announcement but Joseph ‘Tino’ Rossi, who founded the Mardis Cyclistes in 1978, told us yesterday that Saputo Inc., a Montreal-based dairy company, will not sponsor the series next year and that he is working to find a replacement.

The Mardis Cyclistes is considered the biggest criterium series in Canada. The 10-stage series holds races for senior elite men, women, junior men, and minime girls and boys around LaSalle Park in the Montreal borough of Lachine. Many notable Canadian road cyclists have distinguished themselves here and noted foreign cyclists often find themselves in the field.

In 2009, some 10,000 spectators turned out to see Floyd Landis (OUCH), the man who finished first at the 2006 Tour de France only to have his jersey stripped from him due to a positive doping test, compete against 118 other cyclists. That race was won by Keven Lacombe (then with Planet Energy) – read more HERE.

Saputo has 650 registered trade-marks in Canada according to Wikipedia. The company, which operates in Canada, Argentina, the U.S.A. and Germany, has estimated worldwide revenues of about $6 billion. Among its well known brand names are: Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, Baxter, Black Creek Wisconsin Clasic”, Dairyland, Danscorella, De Lucia, Dragone, DuVillage 1860, Frigo, Kingsey, La Paulina, Nutrilait, Neilson, Ricrem, Stella, Treasure Cave, HOP&GO!, Rondeau and Vachon.

Stay tuned for more this breaking news…