A first Abitibien to be on the podium this year
Stage 6 report by the Tour de l’Abitibi
The sixth stage of the 49th Tour of Abitibi, presented by the City of Amos, took place under a radiant sun in Amos today. Cyclists traveled a total distance of 97.2 km in an urban circuit of 9 laps of 10.8 km. Mexico is once again emerging victorious with the victory of Juan Francisco Rosales Hernandez. It is the third gold medal for the Mexican national team this week. Riley Sheehan of the United States and Charles-Étienne Chrétien of Team Canada finished on the second and third rank. This is the first podium for an Abitibien racer in this edition.
Sheehan is still the leader
The young cyclist Riley Sheehan from the US national team is once again on the podium today. This is the fourth time in the six stages that the holder of the blue and brown jerseys wins a medal. If he were to keep his brown jersey tomorrow without winning stage 7, he would be only the fourth champion in the history of the Tour de l’Abitibi not to have won a gold medal. The last was Ludo Crema from British Columbia in 1977.
Ama Nsek winner of the green jersey
Ama Nsek of Lux / Stradling p / b Specialized made sure to win the green jersey today by winning another Mountain Grand Prix. Tomorrow’s race does not have any, he is already certain to leave with the title. Richard Holec, the Czech rider from Lux / Stradling p / b Specialized, went on again with the Orange Hydro-Québec jersey tonight. So there hasn’t been any change in the jerseys since stage 4 on Thursday, July 20th.
A final decisive step
Tomorrow, cyclists will leave from La Sarre for an ultimate test. Finally stage 7, which will be presented by Hecla Québec, will begin at 2:45 pm in front of the Nicol Auto arena to finish 115 km later at around 5:20 pm in Amos. The remaining number of riders is 109, 35 cyclists fewer than in the first stage. Please come and encourage the cyclists on their final day of competition.
Results
1. Juan Francisco Rosales Hernandez (Mex) Team Mexico 2:09:01
2. Riley Sheehan (USA) Team USA
3. Charles-Etienne Chretien (Can) Team Canada 0:03
GC after Stage 6
1. Riley Sheehan (USA) Team USA 10:37:51
2. Fernando Islas Lopez (Mex) Team Mexico 0:29
3. Richard Holec (Cze) LUX/Stradling p/b Specialized 0:41
4. Sam Titter-Dower (Nzl) Team New Zealand 1:00
5. Emiliano Mirafuentes Resendez (Mex) Team Mexico 0:55
6. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Team USA 1:07
7. Ben Hamilton (Nzl) Team New Zealand 1:10
8. Kurt Penno (Can) Team Canada
9. Sean Quinn (USA) Team USA 1:14
10. Kendrick Boots (USA) Team USA 1:16
Full results here.