QUEBEC CITY, June 17, 2023 – The American rider Tyler Stites won the sprint of the 4th stage of the Tour de Beauce, which took place on Saturday in the streets of Quebec. For a fourth consecutive day, a new leader takes on the yellow jersey at the end of this criterium of 35 laps and 70 kilometers.
Luke Valenti, from the Ecoflo Chronos team, takes control of the race with only one day to go. Valenti had previously finished 2nd in the 1st stage on Wednesday. In constant rain, the cyclists set off in the early afternoon on Grande-Allée, in front of the Armory.
Four riders managed to slip away from the peloton after a few laps. William Hardin (Project Echelon), Jérôme Gauthier (Ecoflo Chronos), Alex Hoehn (Makadence Primeau Vélo) and Julien Gagné (Skyline-TSL) widened the gap to almost a minute but with around 12 laps to go, Matteo Dal-Cin (Toronto Hustle) rocked the group at the back with strong momentum.
Four men then managed to break away to go after the leading quartet. Tyler Stites was accompanied by Luke Valenti, Evan Russell (Cycling BC) and Carson Miles (Toronto Hustle), winner the day before at Mégantic. With less than three laps to go, the latter were able to join the group at the front to give an exciting end to the race. A group of eight riders therefore presented themselves on the home stretch, on the difficult false flat towards the finish line.
Stites won the stage, followed by Quebecer Jérôme Gauthier and Canadian Evan Russell. Camouflaged in the peloton more than a minute behind, Félix Bouchard (Project Echelon) had the yellow jersey snatched by his runner-up in the general classification. Well positioned in 2nd place overall, Luke Valenti was only 9 seconds behind.
Always in plain sight, the Ecoflo Chronos formation thus recovers the precious tunic worn at the start of the Tour by Matisse Julien. Valenti also holds the red jersey for the best young rider under 23.
In the streets of Saint-Georges on Sunday, Evan Russell will wear the white jersey for the points classification. Eric Inkster (Cycling BC) retains the mountain polka dot jersey.
With less than 24 hours to crown a new champion, no one can predict who will win this 35th Tour de Beauce. The demanding street circuit of 12 laps and 122 kilometers always does a lot of damage and several cyclists can still hope to win. The start will be launched at 11 a.m. on 120th Street, in Saint-Georges.
Source: Communication Tour de Beauce