JUNE 19, 2010

Quebec City, Que – Marc de Maar of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis proved again today that he is one of the strongest riders contesting this Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce by taking a convincing victory in the 5th stage of the race, a 139 km circuit race in Quebec City that served as a dress rehearsal for the Grande Prix Cycliste de Quebec Pro Tour race in September.
On the final time up the finishing climb, de Maar took leave of the front group to earn a solo win – his second of the tour – four seconds ahead of Javier Megias Leal (Team Type 1). Morgan Schmitt of UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis put in another strong ride as well, finishing 3rd on the stage.

“It was a hot, hard race,” said Team Directeur Sportif Gord Fraser. “All the guys rode exceptionally well.”

That started with Andrew Pinfold and Max Jenkins making the early move, with Pinfold taking the first intermediate bonus sprint ahead of Jenkins. When that move came back, the most serious move of the day went. The highest placed rider in that break was Chris Jones (Team Type 1), who came into the stage in 12th place, 2:40 back.

The Fly V Australia team of race leader Ben Day kept the break at a manageable distance, bringing it back into the fold on the final lap, setting up late-race fireworks that UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis lit up.

Schmitt was the first rider to attack on the finishing climb. Sitting 5th overall at 1:18 back, Day couldn’t afford to let him go and the yellow jersey responded to the move. De Maar took advantage, countering Day with 1 km to go and taking off solo in pursuit of the stage win and a jump in the overall from his 4th place position, also at 1:18 back.

Both de Maar and Schmitt benefited from their efforts. With the time gaps and time bonuses on the line, the UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis duo each moved up a place in the general classification, sitting 3rd and 4th respectively.

Beauce concludes Sunday in Saint-Georges, with the traditional closing circuit race, 12 trips around a 12 km course in downtown. Pinfold is a previous winner of this stage.

Photo: Provided by UnitedHealthcare

Print | posted on Saturday, June 19, 2010 12:00 AM