July 4, 2007 (Montreal, QC) — The third stage of the Mardis Cyclistes Saputo was won yesterday by Jean-Francois Laroche (Sleeman Clear TATV) with a time of 1:00:57 over the 50km course. Second across the finish was David Veilleux (Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team) and third went to Keven Lacombe (Volkswagen-Trek). A very close fourth went to Charly Vives (Calyon/Litespeed). A break formed near the seventh lap of the 31-lap criterium race with these same four riders.

Laroche was surprised by his win. “I work as a lawyer during the day,” he said. “But we were four strong guys and everybody did his part. The attacks started with three laps to go. I bridged to Veilleux on the last turn and then sprinted past him.” Laroche joked that his office job means that he raced fresh this evening.

Veilleux added, “I was surprised when J-F shot past on my left.” He added that it feels good to be back in Canada (his team is based in Georgia) as the crits in the USA tend to be shorter and faster.

Lacombe stood third on the podium and leads so far in overall points with 271 compared to second-place Charly Vives (251) and Pierre-Olivier Boily (Sleeman Clear TATV) at 169. But Lacombe told Pedal he will not be there to defend his yellow jersey next week because of the 2007 Canadian Road Championships in the Beauce July 5-11.

Laroche says he is also tempted to try his luck in Beauce at next Wednesday’s (July 11) elite men’s road race, “but I need to ask my boss first.

The 24km Laits Go race on Tuesday evening was won by Frederic Poisson (Velo 2 Max) with a time of 32:36, followed by Mikael Bilodeau (Espoirs Laval), and Raphael Masse-Viau (Maillot Bleu).

The Shape Cup for women, run simultaneously with the Laits Go race was won by Laurie-Anne Dupont-Renaud (CIBC Wood-Gundy) with a time of 34:32, followed by Shanie Bergeron (Specialized-Vinci-Menikini) and Catherine Couture (Equipe Cascades).

The 16km Hop and Go for minime girls and boys was won by Joakim Albert (Ste-Foy-Qc Metro) with a time of 24:09, followed by Francis Lambert Lemay (Velo Club Longueuil) and Sebastien Boivin (Maillot Bleu).

The weather was refreshingly cool and dry this evening in Montreal after a daytime high in the mid 20s C.

Results (brief)

1. Jean-Francois Laroche (Sleeman Clear TATV)
2. David Veilleux (Jittery Joes)
3. Keven Lacombe (VW-Trek)
4. Charly Vives (Calyon/Litespeed)