June 18, 2019 (Saint-Georges, QC) – The 2019 Tour de Beauce will kick off on June 19. Approximately 120 cyclists from 17 teams will compete over five days for the top honors of this prestigious 635-kilometer race covering the Chaudière-Appalaches, the Eastern Townships, and Quebec City regions.
“The majestic roads that Beauce and adjacent regions offer to racers are now recognized by the cycling community worldwide, thanks to the Tour de Beauce,” commented Francis Rancourt, general manager of the Tour de Beauce.
“We also take this opportunity to thank all our municipal government partners who facilitate the use of the roads throughout the Tour de Beauce, as well as the ministère des Transports. The warm welcome we receive annually in the various municipalities is remarkable and allows an exceptional tourist showcase for the regions,” Francis Rancourt continued.
The first stage will take place on Wednesday, June 19 in Saint-Georges and the Etchemin area (177 km) and will give fans a glimpse of team strategies as the general classification takes shape.The next day, the peloton will face its first major challenge in the second stage, which will showcase the designated climbers with the finish atop the grueling climb of Mont-Mégantic after nearly 170 kilometers in the saddle. The start will be given in the town of Lac-Mégantic, at the Mégantic Sports Centre.
The traditional time trial, a solo 20-kilometer race, will take place during stage 3A, on Friday, June 21 in Saint-Prosper, a course that Tour de Beauce veterans have experienced in the past.
Later in the day, stage 3B will see the riders leave Le Georgesville in Saint-Georges for a 77-kilometer ride during which the peloton will notably race through the municipalities of Saint-Martin, Saint-Honoré and Saint-Benoît-Lâbre. The proposed course was slightly modified from the 2018 edition. The stage finish will test climbers on the steep 20th Street in Notre-Dame-des-Pins. A finish that promises to be explosive!
Again this year, Québec City will play host to the fan-favorite criterium, a spectacular stage that promises thrills to the many spectators who will be gathering along the course. The start and finish area will be on the Grande Allée, near the Parc de la Francophonie. The 2-kilometer circuit will be traveled 35 times by the peloton.Finally, the 2019 Tour de Beauce champion will be crowned on Sunday, June 23, following a 122-kilometer stage displayed on a difficult 10-kilometer urban circuit in the town of Saint-Georges. This stage is just as exciting as the riders will give everything left in the tank to either make final moves in the general classification or protect their leaders.
The public is invited to come and encourage the riders in large numbers during this final stage preceded by a “Tailgate Party” organized by IGA Families Rodrigue and Groleau near the start/finish line at the corner of 150th Street and the 10th Avenue. A festive rendezvous sportif not to be missed!
Tour de Beauce 2019 — Stages
Stage 1 — June 19: Saint-Georges-Saint-Georges (177 km)
Stage 2 — June 20: Lac Mégantic/Parc National du Mont-Mégantic (169 km)
Stage 3a — June 21: Saint-Prosper (20 km) [Time Trial]
Stage 3b — June 21: Saint-Georges-Saint-Georges (77km)
Stage 4 — June 22: Ville de Québec (70 km) [Criterium: 35 laps of 2 km]
Stage 5 — June 23: Ville de Saint-Georges (122 km) [Urban Circuit: 12 laps of 10 km]
Total distance: 635 km
Tour de Beauce 2019 — Jerseys
– Yellow Jersey Ville de Saint-Georges: Leader of the General classifications
– White Jersey Hydro-Québec: Leader of the Points classifications
– Polka Dots Jersey Desjardins: Leader of the King of the Mountain classifications
– Red Jersey Le Georgesville: Leader of the Best Young Riders classifications (U23)
– Blue Jersey Ville de Québec: Winner of the Quebec Stage
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