The French speaking region of Canada hosts the CTour for two classics today the riders are in the provincial capital, as the riders have a 12.5km circuit to travel 15 times. There are no really big hills, but plenty of small steep bits particularly in the last kilometre of each circuit, so this race has attracted plenty of punchaers including Gilbert, Ben Nasser, Flugal, Monfort, Roux, Ponzi, Ginanni and Chavanel.
Quebec City is built on a particularly hilly section next to the big artery of the St Lawrence River, whose icy waters come in from the Arctic ocean. It has seen plenty of battles between the British and French over the years but today it is an Italian who makes the early headlines.
Wiggle's Grippo makes a lone breakaway and we see him riding riverside here in the first half of the race.
Grippo rides solo against the backdrop of the River St Lawrence
The peleton seem to want to relax and take in every sinew of this circuit. They are looking for places where attacks can be made the consensus is that the last kilometre is the toughest section although the long flat exposed section by the river could offer a power man a chance.
Vespa and Pendletons are working together for their star men Gilbert and Ginanni.
Vespa and Pendletons keep a steady but not that higher tempo
With 10 circuits left Grippo has a large 8.24 lead on the peleton, but with some steady work done by the above mentioned teams and EL AL the gap is reduced to four minutes with 5 circuits left. With three circuits left it is time for one of the favourites to attack and Anthony Roux (UBS) makes that move on that last kilometre of the circuit uphill.
Roux - winner of an earlier classic knows to go early
The Frenchman is 1.43 down on Grippo at the line and attracts the attentions of Ben Nasser, Ponzi, Calzati and team mate Albasini. However this move is shut down by Team LEGO who put Claeys on the front to nuetralise what looked a promising move.
The five man break is brought back by Lego
At the line that now marks just two circuits (25km) to go, Grippo still holds a 45 second lead. However the attacking Roux is going again at almost exactly the same point in the circuit.
Grippo leads coming through, but behind Roux attacks again
As Roux goes past Grippo more riders bridge to Roux from the peleton as we enter the last circuit we have five men out at front with 10km to go. Ben Nasser, Calzati, Ponzi and a new name Flugal, Ikea sensibly placing a rider up here now.
Five men up front
However these five cannot think of victory yet, as Gilbert explodes into action resulting in several other riders trying to make their move.
Gilbert burst into action in the last 10km
A group of 11 now is at the head of the race, it is a bit scattered though positioning will be key. Flugal, Calzati, Ponzi and Roux are up front ahead of Monfort, Gilbert, Ben Nasser, Coenan, Chavanel, Caruso and Albasini.
About 40 seconds behind that is Claeys, Ginanni, Ljungbald and Nocentini, with the peleton at 1.30.
15 guys away but scattered about
Gilbert attacks up to the front and past, Chavanel is the only one that can follow the Belgian, Flugal too manages to stick with him. So these three form a triad at the head of affairs with three km to go.
Flugal, Chava and Gilbert
Now is the time behind to make the move if you can, only one can though and that is Maxime Monfort who just about gets up before the sprinting starts. Sylvian Chavanel has stolen a march though by sneaking out 50 or so yards before the last kilometre.
Monfort bridges, but Chavanel sneaks into a good position
With 800m to go you can see that Flugal and Gilbert have misjudged this and allowed the Frenchman too much of a gap. Quebec can celebrate a 'home' victory, meanwhile Monfort struggles to get past the other two with Flugal trying to hold off Gilbert.
500m to go: Chavanel has been clever here
Sylvian doesn't particularly celebrate but win he has with a move between 2km and 1km to go.
Chava wins another for the Israeli based team
Slightly surprisingly Gilbert cannot get past Flugal, then again he seemed to be the one leading all the attacks in the last circuit. Flugal second then, Gilbert 3rd and Monfort 4th.
2nd through to 4th
Calzati attacks away to grab a second top five placing for El-AL ahead of a blanket finish for places 6th through to 11th. Ben Nasser just gets the nod over Ljungbald for 6th and 7th, ahead of the Wiggle threesome and Ginanni.
