September 16, 2006 – Francois Parisien (TIAA-CREF) finished 10th in the 148-km Stage 1 at the Tour de la Somme yesterday, but distinguished himself by claiming the best climber jersey and by winning the intermediate sprint. Before the race, Parisien was recognized by the race announcer as one of two cyclists who had livened up the GP de Fourmies last weekend (Sunday, Sept. 10) noting his 150-km break there. “A jersey is nice, but I would have preferred a victory,” said Parisien.

The two Canadians racing at Tour de la Somme are Parisien, 2005 Canadian road champ, and Dominique Rollin (VC Roubaix), the current Canadian road champion. At press time it was unclear where Rollin finished in yesterday’s stage.

Tour de la Somme 2006

Stage 1 Results (brief)

1. Julien Antomarchi (Fra) VC La Pomme Marseille 3.31.28
2. Romain Feuillu (Fra) France National
3. Dmitriy Kozontchuk (Rus) Rabobank Cont.

10. Francois Parisien (Can) Team Tiaa-Cref 0:40

The Tour de la Somme, Sept. 15-16, takes place in northern France. There are two more stages, Stage 2, Villers-Bretonneux-Villers-Bretonneux, 90 kms, and Stage 3, Villers-Bretonneux-Abbeville, 100 kms – both will be contested Saturday, September 16.

Full story here.