Lachine Cycling Tuesdays are back

MISE À DAY

After three years of absence due to the pandemic, the elite of Quebec cycling will reconnect with the Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine (MCL) in the summer of 2023. 

This was announced on Tuesday, when the Néron family handed over the organization of the critérium to Dominic Rossi. The cycling enthusiast knows the MCLs very well, as his father, Joseph “Tino” Rossi, founded the event and was its president for its first forty editions.

The new leader wants the Quebec cycling community to rediscover the experience of previous editions of the renowned competition.

“The biggest challenge is to live up to my predecessors, a- he said in an interview with the QMI Agency. They did such a good job and they put a color to this competition. I want to continue what they have done. There are going to be expectations, because he has standards.”

At work since last October, Mr. Rossi is amazed at the enthusiasm of the community.

“About 90% of our sponsors have returned and there are a lot of newcomers who have approached us to get involved. It's really fun to see,” he said, continuing on the importance of the collaboration of the City of Montreal and the borough of Lachine.

“They were the first to raise their hand to come back.»

A showcase

For more than four decades, the MCLs have allowed our best cyclists to compete against each other, and even to rub shoulders with the Canadian and international crème de la crème. The Hugo Houle, Guillaume Boivin and François Parisien have notably competed there.

The event brings together 200 athletes daily and includes six categories, including some for teenagers.

“C It's a shop window and it's a school. The Mardis Cyclistes enjoys a reputation. You learn the basics of the trade. When you say that you are doing “the Lachines”, it gives you a certain notoriety,” said Mr. Rossi.

“It's an opportunity for young cyclists to stand out and a place where talent gets noticed from a young age.”

“It's also an opportunity to meet people who share the same passion as you. Sport brings people together and it's fun to be surrounded by people who advocate the same habits as you.”

For its 43rd edition, from May 30 to August 8, the MCLs will reconnect with the 1.61 km course around LaSalle Park and will maintain their 10-stage format.