July 24, 2005 – David Veilleux has won the Tour de l’Abitibi. of the junior international classic race. Putting on the brown jersey for the last time at the end of the 70.4 km criterium, Veilleux follows last year’s winner, Chris Stockburger.

However the American national team did not leave emptyhanded – Daniel Holloway won the orange jersey (points champion). He had such a lead on the next rider – team France’s Kevin Reza – that only a crash could take away his title. Team Canada’s Mark Hinnen won the blue jersey (best first year junior rider).

After a four year absence at the Tour de l’Abitibi, team Canada made a remarkable comeback. Veilleux, who was 16th last year was ¨crowned¨ champion with only one stage win – the team time trial.

Veilleux wore the brown jersey for the first time after the third stage and never let it go. He was never really challenged during the last stage; his team Canada teammates controlled the race for nearly all of the 32 laps.

Eric Boily, ITT winner for the second year, finished second overall.

¨O Canada¨was heard at the conclusion of the 37th edition of the Tour de l’Abitibi and will be back for the 38th time next year. The Tour nearly died last winter but with 27 teams and seven national teams in this year’s edition things look very promising for 2006
Stage 8:

1. Kirk Calsen (America’s Cycling), 1:52:48
2. Harrison Tripp (Major Motion), at s.t.
3. Daniel Holloway (USA), 1:52:52
4. Sean Walsh (Alberta)
5. Kevin Reza (France Pole/Espoirs)
6. William Parra Rodriguez (Colombia)
7. David Nadeau (Québec)
8. Ulric De Young (USA)
9. Derek Laan (Minnesota), s.t
10. Chris Carlson (Arizona), all s.t

Final Overall

1. David Veilleux (Canada), 13:26:29
2. Éric Boily (Canada), at 0:36
3. Jonas Bjelkmark (Sweden), 1:06
4. Mark Hinnen (Canada), 2:26
5. Kevin Reza (France), 2:41
6. Alex Boyd (Hot Tubes), 2:42
7. Neal Kindree (British Columbia), 2:44
8. Ryan Keels (Hot Tubes), 2:49
9. Filip Rudenstam (Sweden), 2:51
10. Cody O’Rielly (USA), 3:02