Today’s stage was marred by weather that brought rain and wind, resulting in difficult conditions for the riders.
“It was raining, but not cold,” said Jimmy, “there was a lot of wind, mix that with the constant rolling hills and it is not easy at all.”
“The rain doesn’t really slow down the peloton,” said Roman van Uden, “you think it would but it is really only on the turns where we take more care.”
Jimmy took 1st in today’s first KOM and 2nd in the second KOM - collecting the points and lifting him to 4th on the KOM points table overall.
Director Sportif, John “Harry” Harris, has praised the way Jimmy rode, keeping pace with Giro d’Italia stage winner, Craig Lewis (Champion System Pro Cycling Team) and Canadian National Champion, James Sparling (Raleigh) in the breakaway.
“Jimmy rode just brilliantly, he had a strong ride” said Harry, “Beauce is known to be one of the hardest tours in North America, it is a great race, and the boys will come out tougher and stronger.”
Harry is well versed with just how tough the race can be, having completed it eight times himself.
Although disappointed with not being able to capitalise on the breakaway’s position, Jimmy was happy with the end result.
“I was caught with 25km to go at the top of the final climb, I didn’t think they were going to catch us, but with so many rolling climbs it is not easy at all,” said Jimmy, “the final climb took away all organisation of the race, even in the bunch.”
Roman was in the 60-man bunch that caught Jimmy and crossed the line for a 10th place finish.
“It was a really good day, the first 40km was heaps of fun,” said Roman, “it was a very lumpy course, which suits us well because it is very similar to New Zealand.”
Stage Three has the biggest climb of the tour, finishing on the summit of Mont Megantic after 164km of riding.
“Today we put our cards on the table and we did quite hold onto it, but tomorrow it is going to be Michael Torckler’s day to shine,” said Harry, “it is the stage which will really determine the individual GC.”
“With the hill at the finish, tomorrow is going to be a lot different to the first two days,” said Jimmy.
Unfortunately Louis Crosby has had to withdraw from the tour due to illness, but as proved in the past, PureBlack Racing is confident they can still achieve results with a man down.