Race Report: Quebec Cup Finals - Vallee Du Parc

Shawinigan is located approximately halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. The small hill of Vallee Du Parc was hosting its first ever downhill race. It's always nice to attend a new venue and riders from all across Quebec were happy to race on a completely new track. For this inaugural year nearly 100 riders attended.

The new 1.5 km long track builded by the organizers from the local DH club Laferte/Trou Du Diable, was a realy challenging course. Couple of big stunts, rocks gardens, jumps, wooden bridges, loamy turns and a couple of flat pedally sections. Unfortunately the great weather we had for the past 2 weeks here in Quebec left us Saturday. More than 35mm of rain hit the area and soaked up the course. With all that mud, the track turned into the most physically demanding course of the year.

One bike wash station means big line-up to clean your bike before the finals.

The organizers put on a great show and even with the challenging weather conditions, everybody had great times! Simon Chapdelaine (Cycles Performance/Niquet) about to cross the finish line.

John Lefrancois (Team Xprezo/Major Cycles finding a sweet spot on the landing of the "hip jump" before the final jump. John came down with a 3rd place.

Julien Laramee sending the final jump with style. A great crowd showed up for the main event! Always a nice thing to see!

In the end, Sam Thibault (Lama Cycles/NS Bikes) took the win by more than 3 seconds over his teammate Phil Ricard.

Elite Podium. (From left to right) Mathieu Lagrange, Phil Ricard, Sam Thibault, John Lefrancois and Max Faubert.

Top 10 Elite Men:
1- Samuel Thibault, Lama Cycles/NS Bikes: 2:37:60
2- Philippe Ricard, Lama Cycles/NS Bikes: 2:40:01
3- John Lefrancois, Xprezo/Major Cycles: 2:43:01
4- Mathieu Lagrange, Rocky Mountain: 2:45:81
5- Max Faubert, Independant: 2:55:63
6- Andy Thibaudeau, Cycle Performance/Niquet: 2:56:60
7- Benoit Rioux, Xprezo-Borsao: 2:56:79
8- Hugo Langevin, Cycle Performance/Niquet: 2:57:80
9- Sam Vallee, Devinci/Lessard: 3:02:33
10- Simon Dallain, Laferté/Trou Du Diable: 3:03:53

Thanks to Pat Pratte, Team Laferte/Trou Du Diable and everybody at Valle Du Parc for this great event! See you next year!

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Team Xprezo/Major Cycles - Thanks to all the companies who support us! Xprezo Marzocchi, Spank Industries, Dakine, Renthal, Kenda Tires, Gamut USA, Obtainium Performance Products, Spy Optic, Feedback Sports, Velo Senso, HT Components, Giro, Stop Components and Whistler Performance Lubes.