June 28, 2006 (Montr̩al, QC) РMartin Gilbert (kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada) won the fourth stage of the Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine Saputo. Gilbert who won the Mardi series in 2001, 2002, and 2004, surprised Dominique Rollin (V̩lo Club Roubaix) in the final sprint.

The peloton included many of Quebec’s top cyclists. With the Canadian Road Championships this weekend, many athletes participated in the Mardis as part of their preparation. Three top Quebecois riders with professional teams in other countries took part in Stage 4 including current Canadian road champion François Parisien (TIAA-CREF), Gilbert and Rollin.

A prize of $1,000 was offered to anyone who could beat the course record, but weather conditions were not favourable, but this didn’t stop spectators from enjoying a lively race. Many attacks were launched but all were contained by the peloton. Gilbert rode like lightening, snatching the final sprint away from Rollin. Daniel Bélisle (Cinelume-Cycles Performance) completed the podium finishing in third.

Forced to abandon only 25 metres from the finish line for safety reasons, Parisien deserves mention for staying at the front of the peloton for most of the 50 km race.

In overall points, Sébastien Moquin (Sleeman Clear Énergie) is still in yellow with a commanding lead of over 200 points.

Rollin and Gilbert both hope to win the Canadian road Championships taking place from June 29-July 2 in Quebec City. But as Rollin remarked, the Road Nationals are like a lottery, meaning that there are a number of riders who can be the winner.

At the Junior Lait’s Go Cup, Alexandre Morin (Independent-RP) surprised many by breaking Simon Lambert-Lemay’s (André Cycle/idCad) winning streak that was unbroken until yesterday evening. Lambert Lemay still leads the Junior series in overall points.
Men 50 km

1. Martin Gilbert (kodakgallery.com) 1:01:25 (48.8 km/h)
2. Dominique Rollin (Velo Club Roubaix)
3. Daniel Belisle (Cinelume-Cycles Performance)
4. Sebastien Moquin (Sleeman Clear Energie)

60 participants

Juniors 24 km

1. Alexandre Morin (Independent) 0:33:36 (43.2 km/h)
2. Simon Lambert-Lemay (Andre Cycle)
3. William Garneau (Elicycle/Sports Experts)
4. Jerome Boucher (Elicycle/Sports Experts)

42 participants