July 19, 2012 (Rouyn-Noranda, QC) – Sprinter Taylor Eisenhart from USA National was the first to cross the finish line of the Tour de l’Abitibi’s second stage, finishing only seconds before the Quebecer Olivier Miclette, who followed closely behind during the last two turns. The breakaway of ten racers following the two winners was led by the Mexican Alberto Ivan Couarrubias Rocha from Major Motion Development, who went on to win third place.

With Eisenhart winning the brown jerseys for best ranked and Alexandre Darville winning the orange jersey for best pointer, the USA National Team managed to steal USA Selection A’s spot as best team. For their part, Major Motion Development won a well deserved blue jersey for best first year thanks to their star cyclist Jorge Amando Mex Moreno Martinez.

Ten cyclists stood out
This second stage of 106 km between the cities of La Sarre and Rouyn-Noranda will have been marked by the breakaway of ten cyclists, which lasted for over 50 km. These racers followed the two leaders closely, with only one minute separating the two groups. Several cyclists will have tried to catch up with leaders, but in vain.

The two winners therefore finished the race in 2 hours 19 minutes 21 seconds, followed closely by the racers from the breakaway who crossed the finish line after 2 hours 19 minutes and 3 seconds. The rest of the pack sped during the last few laps around Rouyn-Noranda, finishing the race  with a mere difference of one minute behind the winner.

Tomorrow, two stages for the cyclists
Starting at 8:50 tomorrow morning, the sprinters of  this 44th edition will get the opportunity to stand out during the Individual Time Trial. The 9.6 km race will take place around Lake Osisko in Rouyn-Noranda, a track which might be sinuous for many of the racers. In the afternoon, the cyclists will head towards Malartic for a short stage of 51.2 km.

Results (brief)

1. Taylor Eisenhart (USA) Team USA 2.19:21
2. Olivier Miclette (Can) Equipe Québec
3. Alberto Ivan Covarrubias Rocha (Mex) Major Motion Development 0:42
4. Gregory Daniel (USA) Team USA
5. Olivier Brisebois (Can) Team Canada
6. Lionel Rocheleau (USA) Racers Against Childhood Cancer
7. Adam Kopera (Can) Team Ontario
8. Jorge Armando Moreno Martinez (Mex) Major Motion Development
9. Dakota Schaeffer (USA) Young Medalists/Team Rothrock
10. Raphael Gagnon-Gascon (Can) SpiderTech p/b Powerwatts

GC after Stage 2
1. Taylor Eisenhart (USA) Team USA    5.03:59
2. Alberto Ivan Covarrubias Rocha (Mex) Major Motion Development    0:50
3. Gregory Daniel (USA) Team USA    0:51
4. Jorge Armando Moreno Martinez (Mex) Major Motion Development    0:52
5. Adam Kopera (Can) Team Ontario
6. Wilson Steeven Cardona Garcia (Col) Team Colombia    0:53
7. Evan Hartig (USA) Borah Development    0:54
8. Raphael Gagnon-Gascon (Can) SpiderTech p/b Powerwatts    
9. Lionel Rocheleau (USA) Racers Against Childhood Cancer
10. Olivier Brisebois (Can) Team Canada   

Full results HERE.