June 06, 2019 (Gatineau, Que.) – Leah Kirchmann (Team Canada) topped a field of 70 riders at the 10th anniversary of the Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau to claim her second victory in the 104km women’s race that featured two loops in Gatineau Park and five laps of an urban circuit in Gatineau.

Former Canadian road champ, Allison Beveridge (Rally UHC Cycling), finished second followed by her teammate, Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA), in third. Fellow Canuck Ariane Bonhomme (Cyclery Racing) was fourth and Emily Newsom (USA) Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Ban was 5th.

The first part of the race saw a relaxed pace as riders were anticipating the climbs in the park – notably the Camp Fortune climb. Any break attempts were reeled in and on the first passage up the Fortune climb, the pace lifted as attacks began shattering the peloton into several groups.

A lead group of approximately 25 riders formed including Team Canada, Rally UHC, Cyclery Racing and Cogeas-Mettler who rode a consistent and steady race to fend off a group of 18 chasers, which included a large number of Tibco riders who tried to merge in vain.

The lead pack was too strong and no one was allowed to get away as Katherine Maine (Rally UHC Cycling) tested her rivals. Over the five final circuits everything was kept in check and the race came down to a final sprint which is Kirchmann’s forte and she did not disappoint with a final attack that could not be challenged.

d”I’m so happy that I was able to take the victory today. It’s always really special to race with the maple leaf on the national team. I’m really proud of how our squad raced as we’re a mix of young and more experienced riders that only came together yesterday. I’m really proud of how we executed our tactics and supported each other,” said Kirchmann.

Full results here.