23rd Tour de Beauce - 2.2

Canada, June 10-15, 2008

Photography

Stage 6 - June 15: Circuit Urbain Ville de Qu�bec, 125km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

Race leader Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) ponders if he will be able to better his two previous second place showings.
The pack descends with Quebec City off in the distance.
The fortress city provided a beautiful backdrop, even on a gloomy day.
The Frontenac Chateau is a pinnacle of the city.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) puts in a dangerous attack, forcing Symmetrics to cover.
The climb winds through the old city.
The racers approach the climb in the old city.
Near the top of the climb the race passes through the city gate before the finish line.
Gregorio Ladino Vega (Tecos-Trek) puts in a solo effort.
Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) was climbing well today.
The peloton climbs...
...and keeps climbing.
Canadian champion Cam Evans (Symmetrics) was key in defending the yellow jersey.
Symmetrics worked as a team through every lap up the climb.
The peloton passes historic sites of the City.
Symmetrics still with four to help Tuft.
Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's) had a good result from the break.
Special delivery
Race leader Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) had little to worry about today.
Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's) buries himself chasing Chris Jones (Team Type 1).
Phillip Mamos (Sparkasse) and Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's) finished second and third.
Ciaran Powers (Pezula) on the front as the break chases Chris Jones (Team Type 1).
Chris Jones (Team Type 1) softened up the break for team-mate Matt Wilson.
Chris Jones (Team Type 1) checks back to see where the chase is.
Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) gets some encouragement from a local - Chapeau!
Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) making the final turn with just 750 metres to go as Mamos and Shriver chase.
Oh it hurts!: Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) pedals squares inside the final kilometre.
Thanks all around for Symmetrics.
Well done mate! KOM winner Glen Chadwick congratulates race winner Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) took the stage win with textbook tactics between him and team-mate Chris Jones.
Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) finally celebrates a Beauce title as second place overall Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) offers congratulations.

Images by Jerome Lessard

Mark Pozniak (Race Pro).
Sparkasse's riders show us what it looks like to climb Cote de la Montagne.
Another view of that tough climb.
And the winner is... Matt Wilson (Team Type 1).
The last time a Canadian rider won Tour de Beauce was in 1995. Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) did it again today.
Stage 6 podium: Philipp Mamos (Sparkasse) finished second, Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) is the winner and Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's) ended up in third position.
Red jersey: Johann Rabie (South African U23 National Team).
Best climber: Glen Chadwick (Team Type 1).
White jersey: Moise Aldalpe (Team Type 1).
Tour de Beauce 2008 winner: the Canadian Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
Tour de Beauce 2008 top three: Bernardo Colex Tepoz (Trek Tecos), Svein Tuft (Symmetrics), Moises Aldape (Team Type 1).
Champagne!!! for Tour de Beauce 2008 winner, Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
Best team of Tour de Beauce 2008: Team Type 1Jerome

Stage 5 - June 14: Circuit Urbain Saint-Georges, 144km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe's) made it into the main break.
In case you didn't know we are in Quebec.
The Chaudi�re River runs through Saint-Georges.
Part of the breakaway finishes a lap.
Race leader Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) keeping hydrated in the warm temperatures.
The peloton making the turn onto the climb.
Keeping calm makes for a quick change.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) won this race in 2006 and is in contention again.
The Saint-Georges church off in the distance.
Symmetrics protected race leader Svein Tuft all day, but is only down to four late in the race.
Bottles every lap for your race leader Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe's) takes a cool drink late in the race.
Charles Dionne (Equipe Quebec) had some mechanical troubles in the break and gets a little help up the climb.
Eric Baumann (Sparkasse) worked on his tan lines on his way to second place.
Just out for a nice ride and a Coke.
Ian MacGregor (Team Type 1) gets as low as you can go.
The break begins to hurt on the climb.
Taking stock of the other break riders.
Pedro's carbon neutral support kept a watchful eye.
Some serious cheerleaders supporting Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
The local club riders take a break to watch the race.
Paul Brousse (A-Style Stomn) leads the break up the climb.
Canadian champion Cam Evans played a big role for Symmetrics today.
Race leader Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) picks up the pace.
Andreas Shillinger (Sparkasse) puts in the big attack.
Sparkasse's Andreas Shillinger and Eric Baumann tag-team Brousse.
Together again: Sparkasse's Andreas Shillinger and Eric Baumann ride to the finish.
Ever the professional Andreas Shillinger (Sparkasse) makes sure to zip up.
The race leaders catch a group off the back at one kilometre to go.
The leaders go up the final climb for the last time.
Sparkasse's Andreas Shillinger and Eric Baumann relaxing and enjoying the win.
Andreas Shillinger and Eric Baumann (Sparkasse) cross the line together on stage five.

Images by Jerome Lessard

Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) seemed confident before today's stage.
A young boy comes out to encourage Quebec's riders.
The peloton gets ready to race a few minutes before the start.
Chris Jones (Team Type 1) led the early break away.
Ian MacGregor (Team Type 1) can't go faster that his shadow.
Another good day for EVA Devinci as Jean-Sebastien Perron finished seventh.
Jairo Perez Suarez (Team Columbia) pushes hard on the fifth stage.
Ryan Roth's (Race Pro) Argon 18 speed machine.
No we don't stop at Tour de Beauce, we race!
The peloton reaches the fifth stage's climb.
Charles Dionne (Team Quebec) is one of a number of local riders.
Here's a good way to enjoy cycling.
The local mums love race leader Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
Andreas Schillinger (Sparkasse) on his way to winning stage 5.
Cameron Evans helping his yellow jersey team-mate Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
The Symmetrics train looks after its race leader.
Sparkasse duo Andreas Schillinger and Eric Baumann on their last lap.
Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) is confident of winning tomorrow's stage in Quebec City.
Sparkasse duo Andreas Schillinger and Eric Baumann holding hands as they pass the finish line.
All smiling and happy after a Sparkasse duo. Eric Baumann finished second and Andreas Schillinger won stage 5.
Podium (L-R): Sebastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style), Andreas Schillinger (Sparkasse) and Eric Baumann (Sparkasse).
Svein Tuft (Symetrics) feels good to be still wearing the yellow jersey.

Stage 4b - June 13: St-Georges crit, 60km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

Evan Elken (Jittery Joe's) understood the rules and claimed a stage win as a result.
Picking your line can be tricky.
The hill of the Saint-Georges crit puts some sting into the legs.
Yes, we get that close.
KOM leader Glen Chadwick (Team Type 1) had no worries about keeping his jersey.
Stage 3 winner Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) took it easy, punching tickets at the back.
The break in its early stages was rather large and slow to organize.
The Tecos-Trek team put a little pressure on Symmetrics early.
Jittery Joe's grinding it on top of the hill.
Symmetrics gets on the front with race leader Svein Tuft in tow.
Nice escort! Canadian champ Cam Evans (Symmetrics) swept Tuft's wheel all day.
Dominique Perras (Eva-Davinci) keeps the break rolling.
Dan Timmerman (Team RACE) , an American on a Canadian team, is trying to assimilate into the culture.
Sebastian Frey (Team Sparkasse) begins to roll through in the break.
Amore & Vita-McDonald's came to the front to try to set up sprinter Yuriy Metushlenko.
Irish champion David O'Loughlin (Pezula) was one of the strongest in the break.
Sebastian Frey (Team Sparkasse) takes the last turn.
Yuriy Metushleno (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) tried to bridge the gap when it was clear the break was staying away.
The break was more organized later in the race.
Yuriy Metushleno (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) trying to bridge the gap.
David O'Loughlin (Pezula) and Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) were danger riders in the break.
The chase group never got all the way as the break took a lap.
Evan Elkin (Jittery Joe's) posts up for the win.
Team Type 1 manager Ed Beamon calmly discusses his displeasure with the commissaire.
A happy winner rolls back for the podium ceremony.

Images by Alex Vaivars

Amore Vita continues to chase.
Amore Vita riders help with chase.
The breakaway climbs the hill in the Saint Georges criterium stage.
The breakaway begins to splinter.
Buck Miller in the crit
The Canadian National Champion helps control the chase for Tuft.
David O'Loughlin storms up the hill
David O'Loughlin rides for Pezula
Dominique Perras feels the effort of the uphill stretch in the crit.
Evan Elkin is chasing behind
This is the moment Elkin launches his winning move.
Elkin softens up the break.
Evan Elkin was powerful all day
Eventual winner Evan Elkin follows David O'Loughlin.
Fran�ois Parisien stayed in the peloton
Glen Chadwick in the climber's jersey
Mathieu Toulose.
Miguel Martinez shows his cornering skills.
Miguel Martinez climbs the hill
O'Loughlin tries to go solo.
Pedro's Carbon Neutral Support moto.
Perras drives the breakaway.
Sparkasse has had a quiet race
Svein Tuft in the yellow jersey.
Symmetrics was firmly in control of the field.
Tecos worked hard early in the week to stay in yellow, but Symmetrics was stronger.
Tuft sits tight behind a team-mate
Tuft climbs the hill out of the saddle.
Tuft looking looked in control all day.
Tuft had a nice day and defended his seven-second lead.

Images by Jerome Lessard

EVA Devinci's machines.
Let's enjoy the race!
First lap action.
Dominique Perras (EVA Devinci)
Dan Timmerman (Race Pro)
Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) was still in yellow after the criterium.
Arles Antonio Castro Laverde (Team Colombia).
Matt Wilson (Team Type 1). What a look!
Kevin Buck Miller (Race Pro)
Andreas Schillinger (Sparkasse)
The peloton was controlled by the Symmetrics team.
Dominique Perras (Eva Devinci) and Dan Timmerman (Race Pro)
Fabio Calabria (Team Type 1).
The Symmetrics team were protecting Svein Tuft's yellow jersey.
Darren Lapthorne (Sparkasse) in full speed mode.
Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
Dan Timmerman (Race Pro).
Dominique Perras (Eva Devinci).
Mark Pozniak (Race Pro).
Sebastien Fournet-Fayard (A Style Stomn).
Courtney Guck (Rocky Mountain) didn't finish the criterium.
Jamie Sparling (Trek Red Truck).
The last year of competition for Dominique Perras from Eva Devinci.
Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) kept his yellow jersey of race leader.
John Bairo Casallas (2peer.com).
Kevin Buck MIller (Race Pro).
Svein Tuft and the Canadian champion Cameron Evans (Symmetrics).
Dominique Perras (Eva Devinci) finished in fifth position.
Evan Elken (Jittery Joe's) won the criterium.

Stage 4a - June 13: St-Georges (ITT), 20km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

Canadian Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) storms to victory and the general classification lead.
Beautiful Beauce countryside was the setting for the time trial.
Clear skies were welcomed by all.
Dan Timmerman (Team RACE) rolls it on the flatter section.
Some local 'fans' watch Rhys Lloyd (Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk).
More Beauce countryside.
The local 'fans' seem more interested in the camera than the cyclists.
Sylvain Georges (A-Style Stomn) had a good ride with ninth.
Stage two winner Yuriy Metlushenko (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) makes the turn around.
Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe's) half-way done.
Bruno Langlois (�quipe Volkswagen) goes aero.
Aussie Cam Jennings (Pezula) is racing for an Irish team this year.
Carlos Oyarzun Guinez (Tecos-Trek) will have to save something to help his team leader regain the lead.
Johann Rabie (South African U23) retained the best young rider jersey.
Cam Evans (Symmetrics) now has to help defend the yellow jersey.
Fran�ois Parisien (Team RACE) posted a nice top ten today.
Australian Darren Lapthorne (Team Sparkasse) took a podium spot today with third.
Soren Nissen (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) feels the tough course.
2006 winner Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) grinds out a second place, moving to third overall.
Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) put in a monster time trial today.
Glen Chadwick (Team Type 1) had a tough time with the rough Beauce roads, but still sits fifth overall.
Gregorio Ladino (Tecos-Trek) puts it in a big gear.
Moises Aldape (Team Type 1) looks nonchalant as he moves up the GC with a top five ride.
Megantic winner Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) left everything on the mountain yesterday.
Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) could not hold onto his yellow jersey, but is only 7 seconds back.

Images by Jerome Lessard

Rock on! with Courtney Guck of Team Rocky Mountain.
John Bairo Casallas (2peer.com) chatting with his directeur sportif Czeslaw Lukaszewicz a few minutes before the TT.
Team Eva Devinci is getting ready for the criterium in the street of downtown St-Georges.
Pierre Boilard (2peer.com) was ready to ride.
John Bairo Casallas (2peer.com).
Phil Cortes (Amore & Vita) made some children happy when he threw his water bottle away.
A cyclist working hard while a Police officer watches on.
Mathieu Toulouse (EVA Devinci) is the Quebec Time Trial Champion.
Speed and reflection on a window.
Taking a break out of school to enjoy cycling.
Patrique Gama Azevedos (Garneau-Cros).
George-Edouard Duquette (EVA Devinci) and his speed machine.
Francois Parisien (Team R.A.C.E-Pro) and his Argon 18.
A rider of Team Sparkasse and his Red Bull.
The same road to go and to come back.
Patrique Gama Azevedos (Garneau-Cros) in the last kilometre.
Taking a break out of school to enjoy cycling.
Svein Tuft (Team Symmetrics) on his way to winning the Tour de Beauce 2008's Time Trial.
Podium (L-R): Svein Tuft (Symmetrics), Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) and Darren Lapthorne (Team Sparkasse).
Svein Tuft (Team Symmetrics) becomes the new leader of the Tour de Beauce 2008 and will be wearing the yellow jersey tonight in the streets of downtown St Georges.

Stage 3 - June 12: St-Georges / Mont M�gantic, 153km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

While the Beauce rains are not aorund the winds are.
The early break Phil Cortes (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) and S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style Stomn) lead Derek Burke (Pezula).
Tecos-Trek again on the front but in no hurry.
Phil Cortes (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) and S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style Stomn) ride past beautiful Lac Megantic.
The peloton rolls along with Lac Megantic in the background.
Mexican champion Luis Macias Hernandez (Tecos-Trek) on the third day.
Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) rides with the yellow jersey.
Glen Chadwick (Team Type 1) and his team-mates prepare to make things tough for Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek).
The break suffers up one of the many Beauce hills.
S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style Stomn) is left to suffer on the front alone.
Tecos-Trek leads the front to protect its yellow jersey race leader.
Everyone is a photographer!
Phil Cortes (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) is left to watch his break mate ride away.
S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style Stomn) gets some last minute advice from his team director.
Team Type 1 moves to the front with Sparkasse in the closing kilometres.
On the opening slope an Amore & Vita-McDonald's rider starts the attacking.
Mexican Moises Aldape (Team Type 1) puts in an attack on his countryman Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek).
Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) is quickly isolated and outnumbered by Team Type 1.
Three on one with Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) surrounded by Team Type 1.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) tries to make Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) hurt.
Gregorio Ladino Vega (Tecos-Trek) was the team's rabbit today.
A lone fan rode out to remote Beauce just five kilometres from the United States of America border.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) takes up the chase of Gregorio Ladino Vega (Tecos-Trek).
Rounding the 180-degree turn 1.5 km from the top.
Francois Parisien (Team RACE) tries to climb back into the lead group.
Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) climbs Megantic.
Gregorio Ladino Vega (Tecos-Trek) is caught inside of one kilometre.
The final group has all the big names in it.
Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald�s) claims his first professional road win on top of Qu�bec�s highest paved road.
Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald�s) collapsed in exhaustion after the tough ascent.
Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) takes second place over Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1).
Podium (L-R): Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek), Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) and Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1)

Images by Jerome Lessard

Matt Guse (Team Quebec) took time to sign autographs before the start of Stage 3.
Some of the riders a few minutes before the start of Stage 3.
Part of the peloton staying together while a break went down the road.
Early break (L-R): Phil Cortes (�quipe Amore E Vita), Derek Burke (�quipe Pezula Racing) and S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (�quipe A-Style Stomn).
Tecos Trek's riders controling the peloton and protecting their yellow jersey.
Bernardo Colex Tepoz's Tecos Trek team-mates controling the peloton and protecting his yellow jersey.
Sebastien Fournet-Fayard (Team A-Style Stomn) escaped from the peloton after only four kilometers.
Tecos Trek's riders controling the peloton and protecting their yellow jersey.
Mont Megantic: What a climb!
Different teams were represented in the peloton.
The winner today: Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) an Athens Olympic Games mountain biking gold medal winner.
Bernardo Colex Tepoz (Team Tecos Trek) finished second and kept his yellow jersey while Moises Aldape (Team Type 1) finished third.
Podium (L-R): Bernardo Colex Tepoz (Team Tecos Trek), Miguel Martinez (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) and Moises Aldape (Team Type 1).

Stage 2 - June 11: Vall�e-Jonction / Vall�e-Jonction, 166km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

Yuriy Metlushenko (Amore e Vita) made the other sprinters appear stationary with his incredible speed.
S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style/Stomn) started out the day breaking away solo.
Tecos-Trek assume their role at the front of the peloton.
Race leader Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) is escorted back to the field after a mechanical.
Martyn Irvine (Pezula Racing) was active in breaks again today.
Francois Pariesien (Team RACE) gets some drinks and advice from his director, a former Canadian champion Steve Bauer.
Mexican champion Luis Macias Hernandez (Tecos-Trek) works in support of his leader.
S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style/Stomn) again off the front, staying focused.
Dark clouds loom overhead but the infamous Beauce rains never came.
Pedro's is providing eco-friendly "carbon neutral support" at this year's Beauce.
The Beauce region is incredibly beautiful� when it does not rain.
Canadian champion Cam Evans (Symmetrics) reanimates the race out of it's early slumber.
Jay Robert Thomson (South Africa U23) kept his KOM jersey by taking out some early climbs.
Glen Chadwick (Team Type 1) takes some KOM points.
Tecos-Trek controlled the front all day.
A preview of what is to come? Last year's Megantic winner Chadwick rides next to race leader Colex.
Former Canadian champ Mark Walters (Team RACE) was not having one of his better days at Beauce.
A quiet first day on the rough Beace roads did not continue into stage 2.
More trouble on the road� this time Symmetrics teammates crashed into a caravan car.
Tecos-Trek on the front.
A few Quebecois locals show their support� Goo!!!!
Ian MacGregor (Team Type 1) tried to get something going, but Tecos and Sparkasse just sat on.
"Sorry boss, but they just aren't working."
Surprise, surprise, S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style/Stomn) is in a break again.
S�bastien Fournet-Fayard (A-Style/Stomn) tries to cool his legs down with just 5km to go.

Stage 1 - June 10: Lac-Etchemin / Lac-Etchemin, 167km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews.com

Canadian Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) is busy with autographs from the local school children.
Irish champion David O'Laughlin (Pezula) gets hounded for his autograph.
The 23rd Tour de Beauce is ready to set off.
The main break Jay Robert Thomson (South Africa U23) and Martyn Ivine (Pezula).
Thomson leads Ivine up one of the many rolling hills in Quebec.
Bernardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) did not look back as he bridged the gap alone.
Colex keeps his head down focusing on getting to the finish.
Ber nardo Colex (Tecos-Trek) alone at the front.
The field sprint for second is won by Michael Stevenson (Amore & Vita-McDonalds) ahead of Eric Baumann (Spoarkasse).
An impromptu shower for winner Colex.
Jay Robert Thomson (South Africa U23) earned the KOM jersey for his efforts, and is all smiles.
The podium, Baumann, Colex and Stevenson in the first stage of the Tour de Beauce.
Bernardo Colex Tepoz (Tecos Trek Uag) took the win by just 20 seconds.