2013 Louis Garneau GrandFondo Report c/o Jason Charette

[DY]

 

c/o Jason:

 

Hey Dan,

 

Amazing race course yesterday.

 

I exceeded my expectations finishing with the lead pack. 44.5km average over 110k according to my Garmin.

 

I avoided several crashes taking place in and around me throughout the day.  Overall the race was very manageable (avg. heart rate 135) except for about 5 breaks (usually on hills) that progressively shed  all but about 75.  I did have to really push on these to remain with the group.     

 

I was gapped on the final attack, time trialed solo to try and close it but ended up finishing 45 seconds back from the winner. 

 

Pictures attached with Louis-Garneau.  I thought you’d get a kick out of that.

 

1^st place within 3 bus loads of Quebecor participants.
The only other thing I missed mentioning is that Team Europcar member and 2013 Tour de France participant David Veilleux was a surprise addition to the Granfondo.  I had many opportunities to work with him in the pack which was exciting.  He was easy to recognize in the sea of red jerseys in his green Europcar kit.

 

At the start of the race I lined up about 300 people back with no real expectations but by 85k when I found myself pulling at the front and feeling good, I started to think I could finish with the leaders.

 

J.