Tour de France champions Alberto Contador and Alex Stieda lead out huge peloton at L’Étape Edmonton
Over 850 cyclists enjoyed riding a stage of the Tour de France Canadian style last weekend at the inaugural L’Étape Edmonton by Tour de France!
Photo: Alberto Contador and Alex Stieda out on a social warm up ride with everyone. @alexstieda
On Saturday, participants kick-started the weekend celebration of cycling with an informal ride organised by United Sport & Cycle around beautiful and bike friendly Edmonton in Alberta, with both Tour de France champions in attendance.
In the evening, a VIP gala dinner hosted around 100 cyclists at the Matrix Hotel with Alberto Contador and Alex Stieda as special guests.
“The Tour de France has been running events linked to the famous stage race since the ‘90s, but never here in Canada,” said Edmonton’s Alex Stieda, the first North American to win a stage at the Tour de France and an ambassador for the L’Etape by Tour de France.
Alberto Contador, is one of the most successful riders of his era, two-time Tour de France and Giro d’Italia winner, and three-time Vuelta a España champion. He chatted with VIP guests about his racing days, “You need to concentrate 100 per cent when you’re racing. Remember, if your legs are feeling very tired, so are the legs of those around you too.”
On Sunday, Tour de France Champions Alberto Contador and Alex Stieda led out a huge peloton of around 850 cyclists from the depart village in Edmonton to discover some of the best riding it has to offer.
The whole peloton was directed out from the start line in true Tour de France style, with lead cars and motorcycles on fully closed roads with local police assistance and marshals.
In perfect weather, the peloton headed south west, winding through gorgeous countryside with fully and partially closed roads towards Devon. There were three fully signed routes of 40, 80 and 130km to cater for all abilities of cyclists, with full support - for that authentic Tour de France experience.
The world class event featured aid stations every 20km or so, stocked with lots of nutrition and hydration products to keep the hundreds of participants pedalling towards their goal.
Back at the Depart Village and Expo, families were centre stage with a special family ride and a special kid’s ride, so that everyone could enjoy a really special day of cycling and celebration.
Below are a just handful of the dozens of participants who tagged their experience on social media.
Emily had a fabulous day with her family and said afterwards, “I rode the 80km ride with my boys cheering me on at the finish line! Now relaxing in the race village with my family and a beer in my hand of course! What an amazing day! Thank you so much!”
Photo: Emily and family enjoyed a great weekend in Edmonton.
Kenna Meilicke and partner Mark from Calgary both rode the 80km and were stoked to complete the distance and grab their finishing medals! Mark and Kenna worked together throughout the ride. What a team!
Photo: Kenna Meilicke and partner Mark worked as a team to complete the 80km course
Apart from experiencing riding a stage of the Tour de France, one of the most unique aspects of riding a world class event by L’Etape du Tour de France is the chance to pull on Official Tour de France Race Winner’s jersey by Santini!
The winners of these jerseys have a memento for their achievements for life, with maximum bragging rights wherever they go! Chapeau!
Photo: Official Tour de France Polka Dot Jersey by Santini for the best climbers
Yellow Jersey Winners
Yellow Jerseys were awarded for the fastest overall time for both men and women across all three distances. Just like the Pro’s in the overall general classification.
In the 130 km long men’s race, John Zhang Li was fastest in a time of 3h 11m 44s ahead of Rafael Piesiur and Jordan Easterby.
In the 130 km long women’s race, Teresa Melton was fastest in a time of 3h 22m 24s ahead of Anna Rogers and Alexandra Messinis.
In the 80 km medium men’s race, Jon Ryalls was fastest in a time of 2h 5m 16s ahead of Matt Oldham and Mike Moreau.
In the 80 km medium women’s race, Stacey Weitzel was fastest in a time of 2h 15m 19s ahead of Kristyn Carriere and Katherine Dann.
In the 45 km short men’s race, Ben Morin was fastest in a time of 1h 17m 53s ahead of Martin Lusung and Vitaly Bobkovych.
In the 45 km short women’s race, Shannon Stefaniuk was fastest in a time of 1h 31m ahead of Carmen Van Weelden and Clara Buchinski.
Green Jersey Winners
Green Jerseys were awarded to the fastest riders in a short timed sprint zone for both men and women across three distances. Just like the Pro’s in the sprinters points competition.
In the 130 km long men’s sprint section, Cornelis Koeman was fastest in a time of 23.9s ahead of Benjamin Brignall and Gilles Lepage.
In the 130 km long women’s sprint section, Taylor Parkkila was fastest in a time of 27.7s ahead of Samantha Jackson and Nicole Wong Tomchuk.
In the 80 km medium men’s sprint section, Conor Hegarty was fastest in a time of 24.7s ahead of Mark Gratton and Zekai Jia.
In the 80 km long women’s sprint section, Linda Halloran was fastest in a time of 29.2s ahead of Heather Zygun and Katherine Kuperus.
In the 45 km medium men’s sprint section, Hank Van Weelden was fastest in a time of 24.7 ahead of Ben Morin and Cody Vail.
In the 45 km long women’s sprint section, Michaela Quinn was fastest in a time of 28.8s ahead of Carmen Van Weelden and Isabel Duffy.
Polka Dot Jersey Winners
Polka Dot Jerseys were awarded for the fastest riders in the timed hill climb of Pemberton for both men and women. Just like the Pro’s in the King and Queen of the Mountains competition.
In the Men’s category, John (Zhang) Li was fastest in a time of 3m 15s ahead of Michael Gavelis and Benjamin Brignall.
In the Women’s category, Teresa Melton was fastest in a time of 4m 27s ahead of Kathryn Durell and Anna Rogers.
Link to the full 2022 L’Etape Edmonton by Tour de France results: https://zone4.ca/event/2022/F7EC8562
Link to Official Photo's for participants from Finisherpix Canada: https://www.finisherpix.com/en/event/5305
Photo: Jessie Bertolo and Bestie rated Etape Edmonton 11 out of 10! Must do Again!
Jenna-Caer Seefried, Director Digital from L’Etape Canada events team commented, “From the bottom of our hearts, Thank-you. Without our incredible volunteers, partners and the excitement of the athletes on course this would not have been the incredible experience it was.”
“Thank-you to our Tour de France legends Alberto Contador and Alex Stieda for riding with our athletes and sharing their experiences in the Tour de France.”
“Keep sharing your pictures and stories, we love to see how your day went at the inaugural L’Étape Edmonton by Tour de France.”
Keep an eye out for confirmation and details of next year’s event.
Feel what it’s like to ride an official stage of the Tour de France, the world’s biggest bike race!
Maybe come away with an Official Tour de France Race Winner’s jersey by Santini?
For more information, please visit: https://www.letapecanada.com
Photo: The next generation of Tour de France champions at the Depart Village
About L’Étape by Tour de France
L’Etape by Tour de France is the world leader in mass participation cycling events, with events running in 13 countries in 2021 and 26 countries in 2022. L’Étape by Tour de France offers amateur cyclists the ability to race or ride a stage of the Tour de France in their own back yard. The Tour de France is the most recognizable annual sporting event in the world and is cycling’s premium brand.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.letapebytourdefrance.com
Rafael Piesiur
