May 11, 2012 (Wissous, France) – Véronique Labonté (CSM Épinay sur Seine) won her first victory on French soil last Sunday. The Quebecker sponsored by Opus won the third stage of the Challenge d’Île de France Route Féminin road race. This stage was held in Wissous, just outside of Paris.

Labonté broke away at seven laps from the finish and only Sandrine Bideau (VC Bondy/Team UCI Vienne Futuroscope) caught her wheel reports Cyclismefeminin. But in the ensuing sprint, Labonté broke free from Bideau.

“I had to wait until seven laps to go to try the ultimate attack that would perhaps allow me to finish without the two sprinters Roxanne Fournier and Kelly Gambier,” wrote Labonté on her blog. “A successful attempt today! I completed the seven laps with Sandrine Bideau and won my sprint! [It was a] great race and lots of great people came to encourage the team! Thank you!”

Challenge d’Île de France Route Féminin à Wissous – May 6 (Brief results)
1. Véronique Labonté (CSM Épinay sur Seine)
2. Sandrine Bideau (VC Bondy)
3. Roxane Fournier (CM Aubervilliers 93)

View Véronique Labonté’s bilingual blog HERE.

Read the Cyclismefeminin article HERE (French).