May 26, 2004 (Ville de Saint-Georges, QC) – The organizers of the Grand Prix cycliste de Beauce Postes Canada presented by Bell anticipate hosting 18 teams, comprised of nearly 130 riders for the start of the 19th edition on June 15-20.
The organizers anticipate tough competition among the selected teams. Also, the future generation of riders are well represented with many U23 and prospect teams taking part.
Foreign teams include: Action-Ati and Hoop CCC Polsat from Poland, Winfix from Germany, Capec from Kazakhstan, Tecos-Mercurio from Mexico, and AC Lanester, a prospect team from France.
U.S. teams include: Navigators (the only Division 2 team in North America), Colavita Olive Oil presented by Bolla, Health Net presented by Maxxis with Canadian Gordon Fraser, Ofoto Lombardi with Québec’s Dominique Perras, and team TIAA-CREF/5280 coached by the 1997 Grand Prix winner, Jonathan Vaughters.
Canada’s representation includes seven teams : Jet Fuel Coffee and Ital Pasta (the only two Canadian teams registered in the International Cycling Union), Volkswagen – Trek, Team Québec, the Espoirs de Laval/Sélection Atlantique and B.C.’s Symmetrics will enable many young Canadians to get a taste of international competition. The National Team will also be present with such riders as Charles Dionne.
The Course
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce Postes Canada will start with an urban circuit of 12K as the opening stage. The 120K course (10 laps) will offer interesting challenges for riders, including the downhill portion of Côte de l’église and the uphill struggle of Côte Gilmour.
On Wednesday June 16, riders will measure up to the many hills of the Beauce region at the Saint-Joseph/Saint-Joseph stage — 180K of climbs and descents through the towns of Beauceville, Saint-Séverin, Scott, Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Odilon.
On Thursday June 17, the Lac-Etchemin/Lac-Etchemin stage returns for a fourth year. This stage, slightly longer this year, will go from 150-180K and finish with an exciting final climb. The many towns of the Bellechasse and Etchemin regions will offer spectacular scenery.
The most anticipated stage, Saint-Georges / Mt. Mégantic, on Friday June 15, has been shortened by 20K for a more exciting finish. This fourth 155K stage will end with a strenuous 5K mountain climb.
Saturday will once again be a very important day. On June 19, riders will start off with a 14K Individual Time Trial in the municipality of Notre-Dame-des-Pins, near Québec’s longest covered bridge. In the evening, all of Saint-Georges will be buzzing around the criterium held once again in the streets of the downtown area. The athletes will have to complete 50 1.5K laps, starting at 6 :00 p.m.
Eight-hundred kilometers later, riders will prepare for the final stage. Last year’s success of this stage prompted organizers to repeat the 165K urban circuit through Saint-Georges. As with the criterium, cycling fans will be able to repeatedly enjoy the race as riders complete 15 laps each 11K long.
Television viewers will be able to follow updates of the competition on RDS from June 16-20 thanks to Netcast Productions. Also, a special broadcast wrapping up the entire event will be aired on TVA Québec on Sunday June 27 at 3 :00 p.m.