Yesterday saw the third stage of our virtual stage race on the Zwift platform, presented by KMag magazine. Nearly 150 athletes took part in this Sunday event. On the program was an 18-kilometer time trial on the “Greater London Flat” course.
After a first stage favoring the puncheurs at the end of November, a second stage in the high mountains, it was time for the time trial, a classic exercise for triathletes. Once again, the men’s meetup was fully booked, and the women’s participation rate continued to grow. On both sides The favourites were on hand, with overall leader Andrée-Anne Dumont, Quebec junior champion Noémie Beaulieu and Myriam Michaud among the ladies. On the men’s side, Quebec Elite/U23 champion and winner of the first stage, Thomas Bilodeau, was on the start line, accompanied by provisional leader Olivier Forest and runner-up Charles Perreault.
It should be noted that no riding was permitted, and that the selection of a TT bike (or time trial bike) was compulsory.
Meet-up women
On the women’s side, the question was who would be able to challenge the supremacy ofAndrée-Anne Dumont, winner of the first two stages and ultra-favorite in this time trial. To everyone’s surprise, Sarah Hamel, a young junior athlete in the Triathlon Québec development project, took the lead from the start and never relinquished it, eventually winning (25’19 “”) ahead of the day’s favourite (25’33 “”). Behind her, the battle raged between Myriam Michaud and the young Noémie Beaulieu, the two women taking it in turns to take third place. In the end, it was impossible to separate them, and so, for once, we have a four-way podium, with Myriam and Noémie tied on the third step (25’49 “”).
At the end of this third stage, it’s status quo in terms of the various podiums, as the overall classification, the best young rider classification and the mountain classification (no points awarded) remain unchanged.
Men’s meet-up
Thanks to an excellent start, Oliver Forest quickly took the lead in this solo effort and never relinquished it until the finish (23’15 “”). Behind him, a heated battle pitted former Quebec team athlete and now Rouge et Or coach Nicolas Proulx-Bégin against the unheralded Charles (Chuck) Perreault . In the end, it was the older of the two men who took a decisive advantage at the end of the course. Chuck Perreault took second place (23’33 “”), followed by Nicolas Proulx-Bégin (23’38 “”). In the overall standings, Oliver Forest and Charles Perreault extend their lead over their pursuers. In the youth category, Michaël Simard finished in 12th place, just ahead of Samuel Beaulieu (13th).
For those interested in statistics, note Thomas Bilodeau’s average of 392 watts (24’12 “”) and “Chuck’s” 380 watts.
In the overall ranking, Olivier Forest strengthened his lead over Chuck Perreault and Thomas Bilodeau.
General rankings
Women – General
Women – Best Young
Women – Mountain classification
Men’s – General
Men – Best Youth
Men – Mountain classification
Find all the results on our page dedicated to the Triathlon Québec virtual stage race.
Note: if some participants do not appear in the second stage ranking, please contact us so that we can rectify this.