July 20, 2006 – Team USA’s Kevin Soller, who was 4th at the US junior individual time trial championships, gave it his all this morning at Stage 4 and surprised everyone except himself with a time of 21 minutes 35 seconds. His time was 20 seconds better than the top Canadian, Eric Smith. Quebec’s William Goodfellow finished 3rd with a time of 22:03.

This stage is one of the most unique in the world as the race starts 380m underground in Cité de l’Or.

Smith is now back in the brown jersey, David Nadeau of Team Quebec is in the orange jersey and Guillaume Boivin wears the blue jersey as the top first year junior.

The 38th Tour de l’Abitibi continues tonight with a 51 km criterium in beautiful downtown Val-d’Or.

Stage 4 Results

1. Kevin Soller (USA) Team USA 21:35
2. Eric Smith (Can) Team Canada 0:20
3. William Goodfellwo (Can) Team Canada 0:28
4. Mark Hinnen (Can) Team Canada 0:31
5. Charlie Bryer (Can) Team Canada 0:35
6. Guillaume Boivin (Can) Team Canada 0:48
7. Vincent Blouin (Can) Team Québec 22:32 00:57
8. Matthew Brandt (USA) Baraboo Sharks 1:01
9. Alister Ratcliff (USA) North East Regional 1:01
10. André Tremblay (Can) Team Québec 1:03

GC after Stage 4

1. Eric Smith (Can) Team Canada 49:58
2. William Goodfellow (Can) Team Canada 0:09
3. Mark Hinnen (Can) Team Canada 0:09
4. Charlie Bryer (Can) Team Canada 0:30
5. Kevin Soller (USA) Etats-Unis 0:46
6. Guillaume Boivin (Can) Team Canada 1:04
7. André Tremblay (Can) Team Québec 1:09
8. Vincent Blouin (Can) Team Québec 1:10
9. Julian Arrendondo (Col) Colombie 1:13
10. Matthew Brandt (USA) Baraboo Sharks 1:20