16th edition of l’Étape du Tour
The 16th edition of l’Étape du Tour Mondovélo is organised the 6 of July 2008
The route
Pau > Hautacam
Contact press
Martine Laurent2 rue Rouget de Lisle
92137 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex
Tel: +33 (0)1.41.33.15.67
Mobile: +33 (0)6.07.52.49.28
e-mail: mlaurent@aso.fr
Christophe Marchadier
2 rue Rouget de Lisle
92137 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex
Tél : +33 (0)1.41.33.15.35
Mobile : +33 (0)6.07.02.42.17
e-mail : cmarchadier@aso.fr
Press release
Hautacam,
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
THE 2008 MONDOVELO ETAPE DU TOUR – 16th EDITION: PAU / HAUTACAM
Enthusiasm runs high at this year's event
As usual, morale was high this morning in Pau, where nearly 7,500 amateur cyclists were ready for the start of the latest edition of the MONDOVELO Etape du Tour. A fine rain over the race area that began around 5:30 am called for special precautions, and it took nearly half an hour for everyone to cross the starting line.
From Pau to the foot of the Tourmalet pass, Florent Aubier headed the group with an energetic push to the front, imposing a snappy rhythm that gave him a two-minute lead over the other riders. At kilometer 102, Aubier was caught by a pack led by Laurent Marcon, bib number 21 and winner of the 2005 Mourenx/Pau edition, followed by three other riders: Laurent Four, Nicolas Amblard and Laurent Brochard. This lead group imposed their cadence and slowly pulled away from pursuing cyclists led by Jean-Marc Goudin.
It was not long before Laurent Four took over the lead position and command of the event, breaking away from the pack 12 kilometers from the finish line and providing no opportunities for his breakaway companions to catch up.
After a brisk ride to the end of the race, the 31-year-old Frenchman reached the finish line in 5 hours, 38 minutes and 04 seconds, ensuring his first victory in the MONDOVELO Etape du Tour.
Jean-Marc Goudin, who, in turn, broke away from the pursuing group, took second place with a time of 5:40:47; third place went to a third Frenchman, Laurent Marcon, who clocked in at 5:43:07.
The 169 kilometers of suffering and joy will end at Hautacam, where the first arrival will be expected around 12:00
noon. The last participant should cross the finish line by 5:00 pm.
| 1 – Laurent FOUR | Cat B | Bib 484 | 05 :38 :04 |
| 2 – Jean-Marc GOUDIN | Cat B | Bib 654 | 05 :40 :47 |
| 3 – Laurent MARCON | Cat B | Bib 21 | 05 :43 :07 |
Laurent Brochard, world road champion in 1998 and stage winner of the Tour de France at Loudenvielle in 1997, also turned in a notable performance as first in the C category and fifth over the finish line.
This year, women s cycling was honored by the performance of French cyclist Magda De Saint Jean, first woman to cross the finish line in 103rd position, with a time of 06:19:17.
| 1 – Madga De SAINT JEAN | Bib G | Dossard 101 | 06 :19: 17 |
| 2 – Marion CLIGNET | Cat G | Bib 12 | 06 :28: 19 |
| 3 – KARINE SAYSSET | Cat F | Bib 292 | 06 :33: 39 |
Congratulations also to Paul Belmondo, Antoine Dénériaz, Guillaume Raoux, Patrice Lagisquet, Philippe Dintrans and Stéphane Mifsud, who were among the cycling enthusiasts taking part in this year s challenge.
Complete rankings are available on the official Internet site.
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