July 21, 2005 – They had to wait the end of the third stage of the Tour de l’Abitibi for an American to climb on the top step of the podium. After a 116.7km road race between Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d’Or, Daniel Halloway, a member of team U.S.A., did just that.

Just behind him were Ken Ichiyama of Japan and Keven Reza of France. Halloway, who finished ninth on the first stage, worked hard for his win. He was part of a ten-men breakaway that took off at the 82km mark.

Canadians Clovis Auger, Brooke Boocock and David Veilleux were in the main pack. Eric Boily, wearing the brown jersey, rode in the field.

However, Veilleux took part in three breakaways. This allowed him to take the brown jersey from Boily. David Halloway takes the orange jersey as points leader and Canadian Mark Hinnen keeps his blue jersey for first year junior.

The first road race gave us a few very interesting moments especially from team Columbia and team Sweden who are attending for the first time. Members of both teams finished in the top-ten.

We expect a serious competition between the American and Canadian for the individual time trials which will start in a mine. There will then be a 14 km race. Last year Eric Boily won this stage easily.

The second road race of the 37th edition of the Tour de l’Abitibi will be held tomorrow night, 83.7 km from Senneterre to Val-d’Or.

Stage 3:

1. Daniel Holloway (USA), 2:40:50
2. Ken Ichiyama (Japan)
3. Kevin Reza (France Pole Espoirs)
4. Jonas Bjelkmark (Sweden)
5. Alfonso Martinez (Colombie)
6. Clovis Auger (Canada), all s.t.
7. David Veilleux (Canada), 2:40:53
8. Erik Magnusson (Sweden), 2:40:57
9. Brooke Boocock (Canada), 2:41:51
10. Jeroen Van Schelven (Belgique), 2:41: 54

Overall
1. David Veilleux (Canada), 4:25:43
2. Clovis Auger (Canada), at 0:28
3. Daniel Holloway (USA), 0:49
4. Mark Hinnen (Canada), 1:03
5. Brooke Boocock (Canada), 1:09
6. Jonas Bjelkmark (Sweden), 1:10
7. Kevin Reza (France), 1:12
8. Cody O’Rielly (USA), 1:20
9. Guy East (USA), 1:23
10. Ulric De Young (USA), 1:23
11. Éric Boily (Canada), 1:31