July 21, 2017 (Malartic, QC) – Charles-Etienne Chretien (Team Canada), the newly crowned national junior road race champion, was the top Canuck in 6th on Stage 4 from Malartic to Rivière-Héva-Malartic, 51.54km, won Richard Holec (Cze) LUX/Stradling p/b Specialized. Riley Sheehan (USA) Team USA retains the race lead that he assumed following Stage 3 this morning. Team Canada’s Kurt Penno finished 15th on the stage and holds on to 8th overall.

The riders of the 49th edition of the Tour de l‘Abitibi have had a whole day today with the presentation of two events. Cyclists started the day with an individual time trial sponsored by the Commission scolaire de l’Harricana and then competed in Malartic sponsored by Canadian Malartic Mine in the evening. This last stage took place under the threat of the storm which even delayed it by 40 minutes. Finally, the rain stopped just in time for the start. The victory went to Richard Holec of Lux / Stradling, while Eugene Kazikaki and Ken Sato from Japan finished on the podium. The two Japanese riders are regulars of the keirin, a discipline of cycling that is very popular in Japan.

Stage 3 – Mexico still won
For the second consecutive day, a Mexican national team rider seized a stage victory. This first place for Mexico comes only for a third time since 1999. Fernando Islas Lopez completed his 10 km in 12 minutes 30 seconds; 7 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Riley Sheehan. This second position allowed the American rider to get the brown jersey out from Kurt Penno. The bronze medal went to Matteo Jorgenson, also a member of the US national team. Moreover, 4 of their members are present in the Top 8.

Stage 4 – A quick step
For this fourth event of the competition, the average speed of the peloton reached 48.6 km / h. Despite some attacks, no escape has passed the 5-second mark. The Americans and New Zealanders controlled the race, leaving no chance for their rivals to escape. Meanwhile, Riley Sheehan again secured a place at the top of the overall standings thanks to his fourth position. The young American will once again wear the brown jersey in the next stage. Thanks to his victory, Richard Holec won the Orange Hydro-Québec jersey, while Ama Nsek retains the polka dot jersey. No Grand Prix of the mountain was part of this stage.

Urban circuit in Lebel-sur-Quévillon
Tomorrow afternoon at 2 pm, the start of the fifth stage, presented by Goldcorp, will be given to Lebel-sur-Quévillon. It will certainly be very interesting to see the cyclists on this 96 km city circuit in total.

Results

1. Richard Holec (Cze) LUX/Stradling p/b Specialized 1:03:33
2. Eugene Kakizaki (Jpn) Japon
3. Ken Sato (Jpn) Japon
4. Riley Sheehan (USA) Team USA
5. Denzel Stephenson (USA) Colorado Select p/b Brac-excel Sports
6. Charles-Etienne Chretien (Can) Canada
7. Ben Hamilton (Nzl) Team New Zealand
8. Jonathan Cassivi (Can) Stingray/Trek par Ultime Velo
9. Lucas Boniface (Fra) France
10. Lucas Boniface (Fra) France

GC after Stage 4

1. Riley Sheehan (USA) Team USA 6:18:39
2. Fernando Islas Lopez (Mex) Team Mexico 0:20
3. Richard Holec (Cze) LUX/Stradling p/b Specialized 0:46
4. Sam Titter-Dower (Nzl) Team New Zealand 0:49
5. Emiliano Mirafuentes Resendez (Mex) Team Mexico 0:55
6. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Team USA 0:56
7. Ben Hamilton (Nzl) Team New Zealand 0:59
8. Kurt Penno (Can) Team Canada
9. Sean Quinn (USA) Team USA 1:03
10. Kendrick Boots (USA) Team USA 1:05

Full results here.