2010 Tour de l’Abitibi

The map above shows the routes the teams will take on Stages 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. On these stages, the teams and their bikes are transported from Val-d'Or to starting lines in surrounding small towns in the Abitibi region. From Preissac, Amos, Malartic, Rouyn - Noranda and Senneterre, the riders will race to a finish line in Val-d'Or.

Stage 3 is an Individual Time Trial in Val-d'Or and Stage 6 is a circuit race through the streets of Val-d'Or.

Stage 1 is a 94 km ride from Preissac to Val-d’Or. The race will start in Preissac at 5:00 PM and finish in Val-d’Or at 7:30 PM today, Tuesday July 20th. The riders and bikes will be shuttled to the starting line in Preissac after lunch. Temperatures during the race should be in the mid 70’s, with light winds (don’t count on it) and sunny skies. These are great conditions for a bike race if the forecast holds.

Once the riders reach Val-d’Or they will be riding in from the west, left on the map below. They will turn right, south and then complete 3 and a half laps of a spectator lined criterium course through the downtown area of Val-d’Or. This part of the race is challenging with its sharp corners, steep rises and fast descents.

Yesterday, Monday, the boys rode their bikes in the morning and scouted out the the time trial course and the downtown finish to the road races.

There was a great opening ceremony. Below, you can see Team Japan being introduced. Teams threw candy or souvenirs from their country to the young Val-d’Or kids out in the crowd.

Later, the teams rode a few laps around the town with Val-d’Or kids often on bikes with training wheels or neighborhood bikes with local moms and dads riding along on family bikes. Carillon bells chimed, flags and banners fluttered in the wind while young Val-d’Or kids rode their laps to the applause of attentive parents. The older Tour de l'Abitibi riders did a nice job bringing the people of Val-d’Or into their world of bike racing while being drawn into the life and ways of Val-d’Or. It was a beautiful small town evening.

We’ll have pictures of our Team’s Opening Ceremony Presentation later. We were introduced on stage with a representative from Aurizon Mines Ltd. This is the local Val-d’Or company that supports the Tour de l'Abitibi and has been paired with Team ProChain.

Bikes are tuned, washed and going up on the roof racks for transport to Preissac. Riders are healthy, rested, in good spirits and ready for Stage 1 later today. Here we go!