June 13, 2018 (Saint-Georges, QC) – Pier-André Côté of Silber Pro Cycling, a 21-year-old Quebecer, brilliantly won the first stage of the 33rd Tour de Beauce after a strong final effort in a bunch sprint.

Portuguese rider Rui Oliveira (Hagens Berman Axeon), 21, was second, followed by American John Murphy (Holowesko), a 34-year-old cyclist. Côté will be wearing the leader’s Yellow Jersey at the start of tomorrow’s Queen stage in Lac-Mégantic.

Originally from Saint-Henri-de-Lévis, the U23 rider launched his attack with 50 meters to go on an uphill slope to the finish. In front of his family, Côté savored the best victory of his young career, at his very first Tour de Beauce.

Supported by his teammates, Côté admitted that his Silber Pro Cycling teammates had almost completed a perfect stage execution. “It went as planned, and we are really happy,” explained the winner.

“We were ok with the idea of a bunch sprint. We also had a guy in the breakaway to cover that possibility. Émile Jean had won here last year, and he did a great job to bring me into the last corner,” added Côté.

The defending Canadian Criterium champion from 2017, Côté also won two gold medals at the Canada Summer Games, before making a great performance at the Quebec Grand Prix race on the World Tour last September.

“I think that winning a stage at the Tour de Beauce is bigger for me than a podium at the Canadian championships,” he continued.

The 177-kilometer, three-loop Stage 1 between Saint-Odilion and Lac-Etchemin, took 4:17:45 of savvy riding to complete in hot and windy conditions. Early on the peloton allowed a group of six riders to break away, maintaining a gap that never exceeded four minutes.

One rider cracked as the 5-strong break completed the hilly Saint-Odilion circuit and headed home. But three other cyclists including Adam Roberge (Silber Pro Cycling) bridged to the leaders hoping for a small miracle.

Legendary Quebec rider and former national road champ, Bruno Langlois (Team Quebec), at his 20th Tour de Beauce, was in the original breakaway. He missed the Polka Dot Jersey (KOM) by only three points to Mexico’s Efren Santo Moreno (Canels-Specialized).

“I felt strong towards the end. I tried to go for it,” said the 39-year-old veteran who placed 80th is second overall while 18-year-old Beauceron Guillaume Davidson, also with Team Quebec, finished the stage not far behind.

Côté also took home the White Jersey for the most points, as well as the Red Jersey awarded to the best youth rider (U23) for a memorable debut at the Tour de Beauce.

Many good climbers will be hoping to shine in the race on Thursday, during the 169-kilometer second stage that will leave Lac-Mégantic at 10 am to finish at the top of Mont-Mégantic National Park, a category 1 climb on the highest paved road in the province of Quebec.

The yellow jersey will need to be ready to suffer in the final climb of nearly six kilometers to defend the jersey.

Results here.