Guillaume Boivin wins stage one at Mi-Août en Bretagne UCI 2.2

August 12, 2010 – Pontrieux France, Guillaume Boivin of SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy wins the 1st stage at Mi-Août en Bretagne UCI 2.2 stage race and will wear the yellow leader’s jersey for Stage 2.
Twenty six teams of six riders each lined up for the start of stage 1 in Plouec-du-Trieux, Brittany, France. Team SpiderTech predicted that it would be an aggressive race and difficult for six rider teams to control. It was planned to race from the front, ensure the team covered the breakaways and never miss important big splits in the peloton. After only 40 km a lead group of approximately 25 rides emerged containing 3 SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy men: David Boily, Guillaume Boivin and Keven Lacombe. Most teams were represented in front but shortly thereafter a counter-attack group joined making the front group grow in size to 34 men. The peloton had no more interest to make the chase and the lead group cruised away. The 177 km stage finished with 9 laps of a tough 8.2 km, narrow, technical circuit with an 800 metres hill which began steeply and topped out with some sustained false flat. After 2 laps the attacks began with David Boily following a breakaway of five men including riders from Bretagne-Schuller, Cofidis, Cotes d’Armor and BKCP-PowerPlus.
From behind a counter attack including Boivin was launched the following lap. The chase group had difficulty to bridge the 30 seconds to the lead so Boily dropped back to the aid of Boivin. Without support of the others in the chase they were absorbed by the remainder of the lead peloton of 20 riders. With 2 laps remaining Keven Lacombe and David Boily aimed at the front for an all out final chase to reduce the 3 leaders 1 minute gap with the tactic of giving Boivin a chance to win the sprint. Crossing the finish line at 1 lap remaining the SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy duo of Lacombe and Boily had reduced the lead to a mere 11 seconds. On the final climb up the hill Boivin waited patiently to attack as none from the chase group was willing to attack first. At the mid point of the ascent Boivin opened up one attack then waited some more. Finally as the hill crested he made an all out attempt to bridge to the leaders over the false flat summit. At the turn to enter the descent Boivin had bridged to the front group with one other rider making lead breakaway 5 men at 15 seconds to the chase.
In the flat sprint for the victory Guillaume blasted his competitors taking the win and the Yellow jersey. Team-mates Lacombe and Boily finished off the pace having sacrificed all for the team victory. The rest of team SpiderTech finished in the peloton.

The field was limited to 2 to 4 riders per team.  Our team was David Boily, Charly Vives and myself who were well taken care of by Josee and Matt.  Things were pretty relaxed and we had everything in order to do good rides.  I was feeling pretty good with my building form, but faded a bit in the last few kilometres.  A flying Ben Day (Fly V) would prove to be the fastest. Charly and David had solid rides for 8th and 12th.

Next up is the UCI 2.2 Tour de Beauce, where we will be fighting for stage wins and the overall from June 15-20. It’s one of my favourites, and one of the best races in North America in my opinion.

by RYAN ROTH

La Grande Visite Chrono de Gatineau se tenait se Samedi. A deux semaines des Championnats canadien, l’objectif pour Ryan, David et moi était de livrer une solide performance sans erreurs techniques afin de pouvoir travailler sur les points à améliorer d’ici les 15 prochains jours.  Le parcours de 17.7 km (aller-retour) à effectuer 2 fois ne présentait pas de difficultés majeures mis à part le vent de face lors du retour. Il nous a fallu cependant bien gérer notre effort afin de ne pas perdre du temps lors du 2eme tour.
De mon coté, tout c’est bien déroulé. Je suis parti plus conservateur que d’habitude alors que j’ai souvent tendance à partir très vite, et de ralentir ensuite.  Je me suis forcer à faire l’inverse et avant d’entamer le 2ième tour, il me restait encore pas mal d’énergie. J’ai accéléré dans le 2eme tour pour terminer avec un temps de 45min53 bon pour le 8eme temps. Je voulais terminer dans les 10 premiers donc mission accomplie. Il va falloir maintenant travailler d’avantage pour répéter et améliorer au Championnat canadien à Edmonton le 25 Juillet.

David Boily termine au 12eme rang en 46min16 sec tandis que Ryan Roth réalise une excellente performance en 43min45 pour le 2eme rang.  La blessure au genou qui l’avait écarte du Tour de Californie est maintenant chose du passé et il rattrape le temps perdu à la vitesse grand V!  Il sera à surveiller lors des Nationaux! Ben Day remporte l’épreuve tandis qu’un autre Canadien de la région d’Ottawa Aarron Fillion termine 3ième.
Dimanche, suivant le c-l-m, se tenait le Critérium de Gatineau dont Martin, Keven, Stéphane, Simon, Eric et moi avons participé, alors que David et Ryan sont partis vers la Beauce.  Le critérium se tenait sur le boulevard des Allumettières, sur un circuit de 1km à faire durant 45min, plus 5 tours.  Éric Boily termine 1er, je le sui en 2e et Shaun Adamson (Scott Racing) termine 3e.
Ma prochaine épreuve sera le Mardi Cycliste Lachine.
by CHARLY VIVES

Philadelphia, PA – Canada’s Team SpiderTech powered Planet Energy came to Philadelphia to be a factor in today’s TD Bank International Cycling Championship and they were, placing two riders in the top 10 while being protagonists in key moves throughout the 250-kilometer/156-mile race.  After more than six-and-a-quarter hours on the bike riding through oppressive humidity, heat and windy conditions, the team’s Guillaume Boivin and Martin Gilbert sprinted home in sixth and seventh places in the twenty-sixth edition of America’s biggest and longest-running one-day professional road race that was won by Australian Matthew Goss (HTC-Columbia) ahead of Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Doimo) and Alexander Kristoff (BMC Racing).

An international field of nearly two hundred riders from invited pro teams, including three ProTour squads (HTC-Columbia, Liquigas-Doimo and Footon-Servetto), took the start.  The team’s Bruno Langlois got into a large early race move that escaped on the first lap.  Langlois maintained his position when the break thinned the herd during the third of ten big laps that included ascents up the steep Manayunk Wall, a seventeen-percent grade grind of one-kilometer in length.  The big lead group rode together until the sixth lap when Canadian Will Routley (Jelly Belly presented by Kenda) attempted a long solo escape.  Tenaciously he held off the chase until the last trip up The Wall when he was nailed back by two four-man groups, one of which contained Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy’s Ryan Roth.  A reshuffling occurred and Roth soldiered on as part of a new four-man lead group that included Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto) and Serhy Grechyn (Amore & Vita – Conad).  For a time, it looked like the break might outfox the sprinters, but when HTC-Columbia, UnitedHealthCare, Jamis-Sutter Homes and Kelly Benefit Strategies combined forces, the catch was inevitable.  With approximately three kilometers remaining, they were gobbled up by what was left of the decimated peloton setting the stage for a mass gallop up the long Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  Goss came around the right side to score the coveted victory with Boivin and Gilbert close behind in the Australian’s shadow.

“Team SpiderTech was awesome today.  We had Bruno Langlois and Ryan Roth in the major breaks, which made things easier for Martin and me since other teams were forced to chase the breaks and we could focus on being there for the (finishing) sprint.  Martin did a perfect lead-out, but I got boxed in and couldn’t do the sprint I wanted.  But we were in a strong position to go for the win and with a complete team, which bodes well for upcoming races and the rest of the season,” said Boivin after the race.

“Team SpiderTech rode all the way to the line with the ambition of winning Philly,” said director Steve Bauer.  “Our guys covered breaks all day.  First it was Bruno Langlois, who kept the team relaxed in the peloton and then we put Ryan Roth into an important late race move that was caught with only three kilometers remaining.  Gilbert and Boivin went man against man with the best sprinters and came up a little short, but not by much.  Both sprinters looked disappointed after the long race, but the entire team finished strongly and contributed throughout, which is highly commendable under extreme humidity.”

In addition to close to 300,000 spectators in attendance, the race was televised live in high definition for the first time on Comcast SportsNet and Versus.

Canada’s only UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) continental team, Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy is a talented young squad comprised of Canadian Olympians and national champions that have celebrated twelve UCI wins thus far this season.  The outfit will next focus on events held on Canadian soil: the UCI Individual Time Trial in Gatineau, Quebec (June 12) where Parisien and Roth will represent the team, the Tour de Beauce (June 15-20) at which a full squad will compete and the Canadian National Championships held in Gatineau (June 25 & 28).  Additional information is available at www.cyclesportmanagement.com.

Results of the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship:

1. Matthew Goss (HTC-Columbia)
2. Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Doimo)
3. Alexander Kristoff (BMC Racing)

1. Guillaume Boivin (Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy)
2. Martin Gilbert (Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy)

For further information about the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, please visit www.procyclingtour.com.

Santa Cruz, CA: Another difficult test for the team from Canada, another day the young squad confirms their place amongst the world’s best.  After Eric Boily and four competitors were caught in the day’s main break, Stage 3 (182.3 kilometers) of the Amgen Tour of California was settled after a thrilling showdown on the climb of Bonny Doon Road between three of the General Classification favorites: three-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack), Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) and David Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions).  Zabriskie out-kicked his companions to claim victory as they barely held off a fast-charging group of elite climbers, including Francois Parisien, who crossed the finish line in Santa Cruz in ninth place.  Zabriskie now leads the GC.

Departing from San Francisco a short pedal from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the early part of the stage along the Pacific Coast Highway was more about the sprint competition.  As the field turned onto the first of four King of the Mountains climbs at Tunitas Creek Road about fifty-five kilometers into the stage, Boily became part of a break that included Andy Jacques-Maynes (Bissell), Will Routley (Jelly Belly), Ryan Anderson (Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Davide Frattini (Team Type 1).  Sun gave way to rain as the break built their advantage to almost five minutes over the next two KOM climbs.  RadioShack commanded the front of the field in an effort to set up Leipheimer, who launched a massive attack on Bonny Doon Road in last year’s race.  The break was recalled just prior to the turn onto the day’s final KOM.  Leipheimer, teammate Lance Armstrong, Rogers, Zabriskie and UnitedHealthcare’s Rory Sutherland exploded onto the climb, but Armstrong and Sutherland quickly fell off the pace.  The three GC giants, who finished in the top three positions in the GC in last year’s race, built a ninety-second advantage by the time they reached the summit.  Parisien and California native Lucas Euser were visible riding towards the front of the select chase group on the climb that managed to narrow the time gap during the long run into the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk finish to just seventeen seconds.  Parisien sprinted to finish ninth.

“Once again my teammates did a great job to execute the plan.  Eric made it into the day’s break of five riders, which contained three Canadians.  After RadioShack brought them back as we approached the left turn for the Bonny Doon ascension, the peloton was flying at more than sixty kilometers per hour.  My teammates protected and delivered Lucas and myself into the top ten of the peloton,” explained Parisien.

“During the first few kilometers after turning onto Bonny Doon, we were riding full-on holding nearly five-hundred watts.  Once Levi, David and Michael went, the rest of what was left of the peloton sat in.  Lucas rode at the front to maintain a good tempo.  We crested the summit and started chasing down the break.  We reached ninety kilometers an hour during the descent.  We knew we had a chance to bring them back.  With (team director) Steve’s (Bauer) description of the finish and (team manager’s) Josee’s (Larocque) input from the finish, I tried to visualize the last kilometer in preparation for the sprint.  We came close to bringing them back.  Thus far, we’ve scored three top ten finishes in three stages, which is awesome for the team.  Everyone’s effort is paying off.  Tomorrow should be another interesting day for us,” the Quebec native concluded.

“It was a great confirmation today that Team SpiderTech are here to race,” said Bauer.  “Eric did a great job making the break of the day, which was certain to be controlled, but it gave the team a presence in the lead.  I was impressed with Francois and Lucas on the final climb up Bonny Doon.  RadioShack made the race for Levi to attack so it was full-on from the bottom (of the KOM) to the finish.  Once again, it came down to an elite group of twenty or so riders in front so our guys continue to prove that they are in the game battling amongst the best riders in the world.”

Wednesday’s (May 19) Stage 4 will test the riders’ legs early on the menacing King of the Mountains climb of Sierra Road less than ten kilometers after departing San Jose in a route that will cover 195.5 kilometers.  The peloton will dash through a pair of sprint zones and a second KOM climb before the long descent into Modesto where the stage will finish with a couple of downtown circuits.  The eight-day, 1280-kilometer Amgen Tour of California is regarded as one of the most important races on the international calendar comprised of sixteen professional teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.S.  For further information, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Stage 3 results:
1. David Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions)
2. Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia)
3. Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack)
9. Francois Parisien (SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy)

Santa Rosa, CA: A rare cold rain shower in May made the roads glacial during today’s Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California, but the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the frisky Canadians racing for Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy. After a long five-man break that included team captain Andrew Randell was caught in the closing kilometers of the 177.2-kilometer stage from Davis to Santa Rosa, Francois Parisien fought tenaciously to finish the stage in sixth place along side a select group of General Classification favorites. Brett Lancaster (Cervelo TestTeam) sprinted to the victory and also inherited the race leader’s golden fleece.

A dozen kilometers into the stage, Randell pedaled across to join the break that included Karl Menzies (UnitedHealthcare), Jay Robert Thomson (Fly V Australia), Michael Friedman (Jelly Belly) and Thomas Rabou (Team Type 1). The break worked well together as they built an advantage that peaked at over six-and-a-half minutes. Riders crashed in heaps throughout the long slog on technical descents that became even more treacherous due to the wet conditions. With the RadioShack team of three-time defending Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer maintaining control of the field along with then race leader Mark Cavendish’s HTC-Columbia squad, an offensive was launched on the Trinity Grade climb by RadioShack and Garmin-Transitions, which decimated the field. Parisien held on and finished in an elite group that contained the overall race favorites, including Leipheimer, his teammate, seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia), David Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions) and Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank).

“Today is further confirmation that we belong here (in the race). Andrew (Randell) did a great job in the break. I followed the RadioShack train and we caught Andrew’s group about five kilometers from the top of the final climb. There were only about fifteen riders left. The descent was quite dangerous. Andy Schleck missed a turn and went straight into a bush. As soon as we reached the bottom of the climb, our speed never went below fifty-five kilometers per hour. We took some risks. I analyzed who was there and prepared for the sprint. I’m happy about the result,” said the twenty-eight year-old Parisien.

Team SpiderTech director Steve Bauer was also pleased. “It was a good day for Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy with Francois contesting the stage victory in Santa Rosa with a select group of strongmen. Andrew rode strongly all day and I’m proud of Parisien’s sixth place amongst the elite GC contenders. It was a difficult finale under slippery conditions.”

Starting in the shadow of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Stage 3 (May 18) pedals 182.3 kilometers from San Francisco down Highway 1 along the picturesque coastline adjacent to the majestic Pacific Ocean before finishing at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. En route, the peloton will battle in two early sprints before conquering four King of the Mountains climbs, including the final ascent of Bonny Doon Road. The eight-day, 1280-kilometer Amgen Tour of California is regarded as one of the most important races on the international calendar comprised of sixteen professional teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.S. For further information, please visit. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Stage 2 results:

1. Brett Lancaster (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Doimo)
3. Lars Boom (Rabobank)
6. Francois Parisien (Team SpiderTech)

La course d’aujourd’hui a été très rapide, la dernière heure s’est même déroulée à plus de 50km/h de moyenne avec quelques sections de bordures. Hier, Steve nous a fait repérer les 3 derniers km. Donc nous avons pu discuter et établir un bon plan d’action. Nous savions que nous devions arriver premiers à l’entrée de la ville, car la route devenaient plus étroite et la chaussée était très mauvaise. C’est ce que nous avons fait. Nous avons été patients jusqu’à 2km de l’entrée de la ville. Mark Batty et Simon Lambert-Lemay devaient s’assurer que Guillaume Boivin, Keven Lacombe et moi serions les premiers à passer exactement là où la route se rétrécissait de deux à une voie.

Avec un kilomètre à faire, la chaussée qui était très mauvaise et les vélos rebondissaient partout. Nous étions toujours premiers au dernier virage à moins de 400m à faire. C’est alors que j’ai vu les deux roues de Keven devant moi déraper sur plus de 50cm avant de reprendre la bonne ligne et de continuer. Suivant l’effort de Guillame, Keven a pris le « lead » pendant 200m, il s’est tassé sur ma gauche et ce fut à moi de compléter le sprint durant près de 200m. Et voilà notre première victoire d’étape à la Vuelta del Uruguay! Encore deux autres étapes. On semble avoir trouvé la bonne formule…Ce soir c’est un litre de crème glacée chaque que nous avons commandé. À suivre!

Great photo of Martin Gilbert winner of Saputo Pro Elite Cup Series at the Mardis Cyclistes of  Lachine summer 2009 on the cover page of the Bike Trade Canada Fall 2009 magazine.

See Bike Trade Canada Fall 2009 Cover Page