June 27, 2007 (Montreal, QC & Saint-Augustin, QC) РAt dual press conferences yesterday in Montreal and near Quebec City, Louis Garneau Sports joined together with Cascades Inc. to reveal details of THE summer cycling weekend with three major events taking place on August 18 and 19. On hand for the conference in Montreal were former pro cyclist, Lyne Bessette, Louis Garneau (President of Louis Garneau Sports) , Jean-Yves Labont̩ (event organizer), and Christine Beaulieu (director of communications at Cascades, Inc).

Classique Louis-Garneau Montréal-Québec City

Sunday, August 19 will see the 59th edition of the Classique Louis-Garneau Montréal-Quebec City, the oldest and longest one-day bike race in North America. This 252-km race is sanctioned by the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and welcomes Canadian and U.S. pro riders in senior 1-2-3 and masters A categories.

Last year’s race was the most successful ever with over 200 riders at the start line. The 2006 winner, Ryan Roth, (JetFuel Coffee), registered a time of 5:11:54 despite a strong head wind.

The famous Quebec City-Montreal race was first organized in 1931 by Louis Quillicot, who kept it going until 1954. Then others took over, including Rene Paquin, Federico Corneli (now an organizer with Coupe de la Paix), and in 1999, the Impact Group organized the race. In 2002, Louis Garneau and organizer, Jean-Yves Labonte revived the race, and reversed its direction so that it now runs from Montreal to Quebec City. The race, in its 59th edition, has not run every year since 1931.

Once again, this year the race will start in front of the Maurice-Richard Arena on Viau Street in Montreal and finish in front of the Louis Garneau factory in Saint-Augustin, just east of Quebec City. The Quebec Provincial Police (SQ) will once again be involved in the event, escorting the 200 riders or so throughout the ride. With an average speed of over 45 km/h, riders will compete on a relatively flat ride over a distance that is equal to or slightly longer an average Tour de France stage.

At a press conference yesterday in Montreal, Garneau presented Lyne Bessette (formerly with T-Mobile), the only woman to have ever completed the race, as the honorary president of the event.

Lyne Bessette is the first woman to have completed the oldest and longest one-day race in North America: the Classique Louis-Garneau Montréal-Québec. She participated in the 2005 edition of the great race with her husband, Tim Johnson. Since then, no other woman has taken on the wonderful challenge that is the Classique Louis-Garneau Montréal-Québec.

“Lyne is a wonderful example of success for young athletes entering the world of cycling. She definitely proves that when giving 100%, one can do great things!”, says Louis Garneau, official sponsor of the Classique Louis-Garneau Montréal-Québec.

Cyclosportive Cascades Louis-Garneau

A second event, beginning an hour earlier on the same day and riding over the same course is the 5th Edition of the Cyclosportive Cascades Louis-Garneau. The Cyclosportive’s 2007 edition is sure to provide a real challenge to all participants. The ride is open to everyone, however proper preparation is required to fully appreciate the experience. Cyclists registered for the start will ride at an average speed of 30 km/h to reach Québec City approximately one hour after the pro riders. To register, a minimum contribution of $500 is required, including a custom jersey with logos of the sponsors. The organization targets a maximum of 50 participants to raise funds for Les Petits Freres des Pauvres (Younger Brothers of the Poor), a charity based near Quebec City.

Last year, the Cyclosportive Cascades Louis-Garneau was a huge success: Forty-seven riders at the start line made it possible to raise more than $11,000 for charity and providing happiness for many isolated seniors. Again this year, money raised is destined to pay part of the costs of a lakeside cottage operated by the Petits Frères des Pauvres at Lac St-Joseph.

Challenge Louis-Garneau Québec City-Trois-Rivieres Bike Race

A third event, the Challenge Louis-Garneau Québec City-Trois-Rivières Bike Race, will see cyclists ride 109km over relatively flat ground from Quebec City to Trois Rivieres on Saturday, August 18. The race is open to Senior Women, Junior Men, Master B, Master C and Master E riders. The start is at Louis Garneau Sports factory in Saint-Augustin and the finish is at the Jean-Guy Talbot Arena in Trois-Rivières. This race is also sanctioned by the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA).

More information is available at www.louisgarneau.com