April 28, 2008 (Ste. Martine, Quebec) — Pierre Olivier Boily (Sleeman) won the Senior Men 1/2 race at the 112km season opener road race in Quebec on Sunday. He was followed across the finish line by Arnaud Papillon (Team VW), Alexandre Nadeau (Sleeman), Dominique Perras (EVA-Devinci) and Australian, Peter Ladd (Louis Garneau). The race involved eight laps around a 14km flat circuit in warm but windy conditions. Many riders went down in a bad crash near the beginning, indicating how nervous riders were at this opening race.

The top first riders made a break on the first lap and at the half-way point were three minutes ahead of the pack. Papillon performed very well for a young rider in his first year with the espoirs. His second place gives Team VW three podiums (Battenkill, Calabogie, and Ste Martine) at three races in just over one week.

Among the senior women, it was Sue Schlatter (EMD) who crossed the finish first in the 56km race followed by Veronique Labonte (Cascades) in 2nd and Natasha Elliot (EMD) in 3rd.. Catherine Couture (Cascades) won the senior 3 women’s race that was run at the same time. A total of 69 women competed.

Race co-organizer, Daniel Gilbert, said that about 80 riders took part in the senior men’s race. Overall, 590 riders in total competed in ten categories at the Ste Martine GP.

The next FQSC-sanctioned road race in Quebec is the Brossard Grand Prix just south of Montreal on Sunday, May 4. For more info click here.

Results (brief)

Men

1. Pierre Olivier Boily (Sleeman)
2. Arnaud Papillon (Team VW)
3. Alexandre Nadeau (Sleeman)
4. Dominique Perras (EVA-Devinci)
5. Peter Ladd (Louis Garneau)

Women

1. Sue Schlatter (EMD)
2. Veronique Labonte (Cascades)
3. Natasha Elliot (EMD)