Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau: It's a start for Pierre Bruneau and the cyclists of the 17th edition
CHICOUTIMI, QC, July 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Pierre Bruneau and the 29 cyclists were beaming as they bid a final goodbye to the families and partners who gathered at Chicoutimi's Harbour Area this morning for the grand departure of the 17th edition of Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau. Presented from July to 3 to 6, this 635 km cycling tour will take the participants to Roberval, La Tuque, Trois-Rivières and Montreal. The Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau is on its way to becoming one of the largest fundraising events in Quebec. This year, organizers have set an ambitious objective of raising more than $2 million for research in the area of pediatric oncology.
For Fondation spokesman and TVA news anchor Pierre Bruneau, the event's popularity inspires a great deal of hope: "In recent years, I've witnessed the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau's rallying effect first-hand. The addition of a fourth itinerary speaks to the deep attachment participants have for this cause. I'm extremely proud to ride alongside people with huge hearts who give themselves body and soul for the thousands of Quebec children with cancer. All of us will pedal with the same objective of changing the course of these children's lives."
Presentation of the 2-day itinerary
On July 5 and 6, 2012, Actor Paul Doucet and TVA Québec news anchor Pierre Jobin will be the spokesperson of a pair of 2-day itineraries. Paul will join a team of 26 seasoned cyclists departing from Sherbrooke. The team will travel from Sherbrooke to Montreal, a distance of 320 kilometres. Pierre, for his part, will join a team of 30 experienced riders that will travel to Drummondville and Québec City before arriving in Montreal on July 6, 2012. Cyclists from all four courses winn join in Repentigny, on Friday July 6, to ride the last kilometers together, in anticipation of their big arrival at Maisonneuve Park, in Montreal.
Pairing based on caring
Throughout the four-day event, children with cancer will be able to encourage participants in a special way thanks to the "pairing based on caring" initiative. Each child with cancer is paired with a cyclist, and each child gets to see his or her photograph on the front of the cyclist's jersey for the duration of the Tour. The cyclists also have a chance to meet their protégés during the tour. These encounters are often unforgettable.
"I'm very anxious to follow the cyclists because they give everything they have to children with cancer. Giving up was never an option for me. To see so many people get together to raise funds really motivates me!" said 17-year-old Marie-Soleil Quesnay, the heroine of the 4-day itinerary. The Val-David native has had a brain tumour since the age of 9 months. When she was diagnosed, doctors gave her just a one in two chance of survival. After her tumour was removed, Marie-Soleil suffered a relapse in 2005, which led to a series of chemotherapy and radiotherapy rounds. Though she might have to fight for the rest of her life, her physicians are confident that Marie-Soleil will be 80% cured within five years.
"The CIBC is proud to be associated with an event of this magnitude for the seventh consecutive year. In doing so, we've reaffirmed our commitment to the cause of children with cancer. Since the beginning of our partnership with the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, CIBC employees and clients have remitted more than $2 million to the Fondation du Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau. As principal partner, our commitment is stronger than ever and we're well aware of the importance of the sums raised. This year, twenty-two of our employees have made a commitment to the cause, and those employees will ride in support of little Marilou de Repentigny, who will serve as their prime source of inspiration throughout the event." Sylvain Vinet, Senior Vice-President, Distribution, Retail, Eastern Canada, CIBC
Ambassador's Day
On July 6, the final day of the Tour, 95 additional cyclists will join a field made up of cyclists from all three Tour itineraries for the final 140-kilometre trek from Trois-Rivières to Montreal. Organizers will then announce the proceeds of the Tour at Montreal's Maisonneuve Park.
| The 4-day itinerary | Chicoutimi - Roberval - La Tuque - Trois-Rivières - Montreal | 635 km to ride | |
| Tuesday, July 3 - Departure of the 17th edition of Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau (Chicoutimi - Roberval, 185 km distance) | |
| 7:15 a.m: | Arrival of guests for the official ceremony for the departure of the 30 cyclists |
| 7:30 a.m: | Departure of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau in Chicoutimi, Harbour Area (49, Lafontaine St.). In case of rain: Harbour Hall |
| 9:30 a.m: | 10-minute break in St-Nazaire, Notre-Dame de Lorette School (220, Principale St.) |
| 11 a.m: | 10-minute break in Ste-Monique, Ste-Monique Rectory (100, Honfleur St.) |
| 12:50 p.m. : | 60-minute lunch break at Dolbeau-Mistassini, Pointe des Pères Park (280, Des Pères Boul.) |
| 3:20 p.m.: | 10-minute break in St-Félicien, St-Félicien Rectory (1233, Sacré-Cœur Boul.) |
| 4:35 p.m.: | Arrival in Roberval, Arrivée à Roberval, Aquatic Club (854, Arthur Street) |
| Wednesday, July 4 - (Roberval - La Tuque, 150 km distance) | |
| 8:30 a.m.: | Departure from Roberval, Château Roberval Hôtel (1225, Marcotte Boul.) |
| 10:40 a.m.: | 10-minute break in Lac Bouchette, (240, rue Principale) |
| 12:45 p.m.: | 60-minute lunch break on QC-55 Road rest stop (at kilometer 81.9) |
| 2:55 p.m.: | 10-minute break at Lac Édouard, rest stop (intersection of road 155 North et chemin du Lac Édouard) |
| 4:15 p.m.: | 10-minute break at La Tuque, Motel de la Rivière (11, route 155 North) |
| 4:30 p.m.: | Arrival in La Tuque, at Gazebo of Saint-Antoine Park (562, Saint-Antoine St.) |
| Thursday, July 5 - (La Tuque - Trois-Rivières, 160 km distance) | |
| Departure of the 2-day trek, in Quebec City and Sherbrooke | |
| 8:30 a.m.: | Departure from La Tuque, Motel des 9 (3250, Ducharme Boul.) |
| 10:50 a.m.: | 10-minute break at Trois-Rives (3911, route 155) |
| 12:00 p.m.: | 5-minute break at St-Roch-de-Mekinac, St-Roch-de-Mekinac Camping (501, Route 155) |
| 12:40 p.m.: | 60-minute lunch break in Grandes Piles, Village Forestier (780, 5e Avenue) |
| 3:55 p.m.: | 15-minute break in Trois-Rivières, Alphonse-Desjardins Sports Complex (260, Dessureault St.) |
| 4:20 p.m.: | Arrival in Trois-Rivières, Boréalis (200, Des Draveurs Av.) |
| Friday, July 6 - Ambassador Day- (Trois-Rivières - Montréal, 140 km distance) | |
| 95 Ambassadors will join the pack | |
| 7 a.m.: | Arrival of 95 Ambassadors in Trois-Rivières and ceremony presented by Cascades, Parc Pie XII (2850, Gene H. Kruger Boul.) |
| 7:30 a.m.: | Departure of Ambassador Day |
| 9 a.m.: | 10-minute break in Maskinongé, Maskinongé Library (11, Marcel St.) |
| 11:05 a.m.: | 60-minute lunch break in Lavaltrie, Community Centre (49, Lavaltrie Rd), Ceremony for the unveiling of the mini-tours IGA Charles-Bruneau final result |
| 12:30 p.m.: | 15-minute break in Repentigny, Jean-Baptiste-Meilleur School (777, Iberville Boul.) |
| 2:20 p.m.: | Celebrations for the arrival of all the cyclists from the four courses in Montreal, Maisonneuve Park (4601, Sherbrooke Est St.) |
| 3:15 p.m.: | Final ceremony, unveiling of the final result and cocktail for the cyclists |
Interviews
All the cyclists in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau will be available for interviews during each of the event's four days. To schedule an interview, please contact David Letky at 1 877 256-0404, extension 230 or Thomas Bastien, on-field media officer, at 514 235-1723.
To follow the cyclists
The public is invited to follow the cyclists on the Fondation's Facebook, Twitter #TCCB12 and YouTube pages. Video capsules, photos and daily reports will be posted throughout the event.
To make a donation
The public is invited to show its support for children with cancer and encourage the cyclists by making an online donation at charlesbruneau.qc.ca/tour-cibc.
The family component: mini-tours IGA Charles-Bruneau
The mini-tours IGA Charles-Bruneau are the premier cycling event for families intent on combining pleasure with generosity this summer. Presented throughout the province in June, this family activity is intended to raise funds for the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau in conjunction with the CIBC Charles-Bruneau Tour. The amounts raised by participating IGA grocers will be announced on Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Centre communautaire de Lavaltrie, starting at 11:30 a.m. For completed details on the IGA Charles-Bruneau Mini-Tours, please visit www.IGA.net (see the section marked "Involvement.")
About CIBC
CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. To learn more, visit communitymatters.cibc.com.
About the Fondation
Since 1990, the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau has had a mission to give all children with cancer the best chances of recovery by financing research and supporting the development of projects in the area of pediatric oncology. charlesbruneau.qc.ca.
David Letky, Communications Officer
Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau
Tel.: 514 256-0404, extension 230 Cell.: 514 219-6350
[email protected]
Sophie Blouin, Senior Manager
Community Investment, CIBC
Tel.: 514 876-6619
[email protected]
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