Canadian makes a splash
PRINCETON - On a day to celebrate independence in the United States, a Canadian stole the spotlight at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.
Charles Dionne emerged from a pack of 30 riders yesterday, sprinting the final 500 meters up Mountain Road to win the Wachusett Mountain Road Race going away.
After breaking away from the lead pack with about 500 meters to go, Dionne held off a late charge by Rory Sutherland to earn an impressive stage win on the third day of competition.
“Feels good to win here - I always have enjoyed Fitchburg,’’ Dionne said. “I haven’t been here in about five years, but this race is one of the best of the year and I am happy to get a win here - especially on the Fourth of July. It almost makes me wish I was an American.’’
Sutherland nearly caught Dionne on the final stretch, but didn’t have enough left to catch the Quebec native. David Boily outsprinted the chase pack to take third place.
Sutherland was near the front all afternoon, and played a big role in chasing down Matt Wilson, who had a solid 35-second lead on the field heading into the final lap.
“It was a great race - this is what great racing is all about,’’ Sutherland said.
Tom Zirbel maintained a slim lead in the General Classification. He finished as part of the main lead pack, well behind Dionne and Sutherland. He leads Zach Bell by six seconds and Scott Zwizanski by 11. Dionne and Sutherland are also within striking distance.
Amateur rider Will Dugan continues to impress at his first Longsjo. The recent University of Vermont graduate held on to the green jersey as the sprint points leader with another solid showing.
In the women’s competition, Andrea Dvorak won the Wachusett Mountain Road Race with an impressive sprint finish. Evelyn Stevens outsprinted two other riders to take second and maintain her hold on the leader’s jersey heading into today’s final stage, the Workers’ Credit Union Criterium.
Joelle Noumainville and Cath Cheatley finished third and fourth.
Stevens leads Allison Powers by 20 seconds and Jeannine Longo by 23 seconds. 