Simon Gaudreault had another big day on Saturday, taking Stage 6 of the Tour de l’Abitibi. The Team Quebec rider took the dub in a very fast finish in Rouyn-Noranda.

Gaudreault crossed the line ahead of Julien Belanger (Canada), with Kazakhstan’s Almir Valiyev taking third after a day filled with attacks that kept the peloton under pressure from the opening kilometres.

Aggressive racing once again

The pace was high from the start as riders repeatedly tried to get a gap, but the field remained together despite lots of aggressive moves. Joshua Davies (New Zealand) won the first intermediate sprint, while Keaton Schisler (KW Cycling Academy pb Liftow Liftrucks) took the opening King of the Mountains climb.

The attacks continued throughout the stage. Luke Ostrem (PNW Racing), Henri Croteau (EC Sports Experts) and Mederic Fortin (Canada) all launched moves in search of a gap, but none managed to build a lasting advantage. Fortin did collect maximum points on the second KOM climb, while Alex Bishop (New Zealand) was first over the third.

A late move

With around 10 km remaining, the race finally split as Gaudreault joined Murat Kuitenov (Kazakhstan), Fortin, Mitchell Williams (Canada) and Aubrey Allan (Canada) in a five-rider move off the front.

The group worked together at first, but as the finish came close, the games began. Allan attacked his breakaway companions and briefly went solo, forcing the chasing peloton into a full-speed pursuit.

The lone move was caught just before the finish, setting up one final sprint. Gaudreault was perfectly positioned when the road opened up and launched his sprint at exactly the right moment to secure the stage victory. Julien Bélanger (Team Canada was second) with Kazakhstan’s Almir Valiyev in third. The trio were a few seconds ahead of the sprint for fourth. With another win, Gaudreault now wears the points jersey, with a 16-point lead on Zachari Moreau, winner of Stage 4.

Brown jersey Carter Deveer was next up in the gallop to the line just two seconds behind, with one stage left. On Sunday the boys in Quebec head from Preissac to Rouyn-Noranda for a total of 110.8km.