June 19, 2019 (Saint-Georges, QC) – Nickolas Zukowsky (Floyd’s Pro Cycling), recent winner of the GP de Saguenay his biggest career victory, led the Canadian charge landing on the podium in second on 177 km Stage 1 as the Tour de Beauce got underway today in the Saint-Georges / Etchemin region of Quebec.
Tyler Magner (USA) Rally UHC took the win with Brendan Rhim (USA) Arapahoe | Hincapie p/b BMC in third. Former Canadian road champion, Bruno Langlois, a late addition to the Beauce start list after signing a last-minute deal with the Brunei Continental Cycling Team, finished 4th. Adam Jamieson (Can) Team Canada was 6th and won the KOM Classification while Zukowsky holds the Best Young Rider jersey and Ignacio Prado (Mex) Canel’s – Specialized in 5th, leads the Points Classification.
An early break of three riders Langlois, Jamieson and Prado was joined by Magner, Zukowsky and Rhim at just over the half way mark. The early break had about a six-minute lead at one point, but as the finish line approached, the gap began to rapidly come down as Arapahoe/Hincapie led the chase. Out front for most of the day Langlois, Jamieson and Prado were suffering with Jamieson also having some shifting problems.
With one kilometre to go the leaders still had a minute on the pack and would stay away as three riders, Magner, Zukowsky and Rhim, dropped the others and sprinted to the line. Magner took the win by a tire width over Zukowsky and will wear the yellow leader’s jersey at the start of the second stage on Thursday in Lac-Mégantic.
“The first hour was very difficult. The last kilometer as well,” said Magner, who is participating at his fourth edition of Beauce and covered the 177-kilometer, three-loop race between Saint-Odilon and Lac-Etchemin in 4:15:15.
Team Canada’s Adam Jamieson captured the KOM climbers jersey while the white Points jersey will be worn by the Mexican Prado Juarez. Zukowsky will wear the red jersey as the best young rider. “I felt good today and coming off the biggest win of my career at Saguenay we’re feeling confident,” said Zukowsky.
Contacted late Tuesday night by Brunei Continental Cycling Team, Langlois arrived in Saint-Georges less than an hour before the start for his 21st career Tour de Beauce. The veteran 40 year-old rider will also be on the start line for next week’s Canadian road championships.
“I was contacted at the last minute. I was at my shop Vélo Cartel and had just finished a ride with customers. I took a moment to think about it but everyone told me to come! I knew that for endurance I had experience. It would have been fun to make the podium today,” said the former Canadian National road champion. Last year, Langlois was also in the break on the opening stage at Beauce.
Many good climbers will want to shine on Thursday during the 169-kilometer queen race that starts at Lac-Mégantic at 10 am to finish at the top of Mont-Mégantic National Park.
The yellow jersey could change at the end of the nearly six-kilometer final climb.
The Tour de Beauce will crown its 2019 champion on Sunday, June 23.
Results (brief)
1. Tyler Magner (USA) Rally UHC 4:15:14
2. Nickolas Zukowsky (Can) Floyd’s Pro Cycling
3. Brendan Rhim (USA) Arapahoe | Hincapie p/b BMC
4. Bruno Langlois (Can) Brunei Continental Cycling Team 0:15
5. Ignacio Prado (Mex) Canel’s – Specialized 0:37
6. Adam Jamieson (Can) Team Canada
7. Adam de Vos (Can) Rally UHC Cycling 1:15
8. Pier-André Côté (Can) Rally UHC Cycling
9. Max Rubarth (Can) Ride with Rendall 1:17
10. Diego Milan Jimenez (Dom) Inteja IMCA – Ridea DCT
GC after Stage 1
1. Tyler Magner (USA) Rally UHC 4:15:04
2. Nickolas Zukowsky (Can) Floyd’s Pro Cycling
3. Brendan Rhim (USA) Arapahoe | Hincapie p/b BMC
4. Bruno Langlois (Can) Brunei Continental Cycling Team 0:21
5. Ignacio De Jesus Prado Juarez (Mex) Canel’s – Specialized 0:38
6. Adam Jamieson (Can) Team Canada 0:48
7. Adam de Vos (Can) Rally UHC Cycling 1:25
8. Pier-André Côté (Can) Rally UHC Cycling
9. Max Rubarth (Can) Ride with Rendall 1:27
10. Diego Milan Jimenez (Dom) Inteja IMCA – Ridea DCT
Best Young Rider
1. Nickolas Zukowsky (Can) Floyd’s Pro Cycling
KOM Classification
1. Adam Jamieson (Can) Team Canada
Points Classification
1. Ignacio Prado (Mex) Canel’s – Specialized
Full results here.
