PRESS RELEASE


This morning at 7.00 a.m in Gap, 7 548 riders set off on the 14^th edition of the Etape du Tour Vélo Magazine, in very fine weather conditions. It took more than 25 minutes for all the riders to cross the starting line.

Rapidly, and as is customary, the rhythm was powerfully set by a leading group. This group quickly set a superb pace and included Laurent MARCON, winner of the 2005 edition, Mourenx / Pau.

In the Col d’Izoard 13 riders moved ahead and weren’t pursued in the descent. The ease of the young rider Blaise SONNERY here became apparent, along with Jean-Noël SARLIN, a competitor from Gap.

The tempo was set and remained constant to the bottom of the Alpe d’Huez. In the 1^st twisting bend of the ascent of the Alpe d’Huez, bib number 337, our young Blaise SONNERY, (21 years old) made a superb breakaway and progressively established a lead over his pursuers, Frédéric PERILLAT (bib number 9 102) heading this group of pursuers.

It was exactly 13h00’33’’ when Blaise SONNERY claimed his first victory in the Etape du Tour Vélo Magazine. Three of his pursuers then crossed the finishing line, with Frédéric PERILLAT in 2^nd place (06:01:01) and Jean-Noël SARLIN in 3^rd place (06:02:29). Laurent MARCON this year finished in 4th place with a time of 6:02:52.

Results
1 – Blaise SONNERY	Cat A Bib N° 337	06 :00 :33
2 – Frédéric PERILLAT	Cat B Bib N° 9102	06 :01 :01
3 – Jean-Noël SARLIN	Cat B Bib N° 98	06 :02 :29
4 – Laurent MARCON	Cat B Bib N° 446	06 :02 :52

Women’s cycling is this year celebrated with the performance of Karine SAYSSET, the first female competitor to cross the finishing line in 72^nd position, with a time of: 06 :36 :42.

Our congratulations also go to Alain PROST who participated once again this year in the Etape and who finished in 207^th place with a time of: 06 :59 :35.

After 11 hours of racing the last competitor arrived. He was the 5 477 rider to cross the finishing line.

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