Les Produits d'érable du Québec launches the "Tours de l'érable"

Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

Sponsored by athlete Benoît Huot, the Quebec-based event combines cycling, walking and gastronomy, and will be supported by Chef Danny St Pierre and sports nutritionist MélanieOlivier.

LONGUEUIL, QC, Feb. 4, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - To promote the fact that sports and eating delicious and nutritious maple products go hand in hand, Les Produits d'érable du Québec are launching the Tours de l'érable. This annual event takes place in Quebec's North Shore region on May 17 and 18, and kicks off the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes (FQSC) 2014 cyclosportive season. Combining sports and gourmet foods, the event is for foodies, fitness enthusiasts and the whole family.

Organized in collaboration with the FQSC, this celebration of sport and gastronomy will include:

• An elite cycling race on Team Quebec's official calendar for their team selection trials. The Junior (ages 17-18), Senior (ages 19-29) and Masters (30 and over) categories will bring together over 300 cyclists
• A 65-km or 90-km cyclosportive for up to 500 participants
• A maple grove foot rally for 6 to 15 year olds, but open to everyone

"Cycling is an important part of my training. In fact, I cycle nearly 4,000 km per year," admits Paralympic athlete Benoît Huot. "I'm delighted that Les Produits d'érable du Québec and the FQSC have given me the opportunity to be associated with the Tours de l'érable because events like this bring together both seasoned athletes and those who only do it occasionally. Like winning a gold medal, it will encourage people to push themselves and the extraordinary beauty of the Quebec landscape will provide yet further incentive."

After the cyclosportive and foot rally, participants will be invited to enjoy a delicious maple-based meal that has been specially designed to help athletes recover after physical exercise. The food will be expertly prepared by Maple Master and renowned chef Danny St-Pierre, in collaboration with VIVAÏ's Mélanie Olivier, sports nutritionist and spokesperson for the FPAQ's Fueled by Nature program. "Carbohydrates are essential for extended physical activity and maple products can provide athletes with an all-natural source of energy, as well minerals and polyphenols, both of which help with muscle recovery," explains Mélanie.

A unique, fun-filled event
"With this event, we want to offer athletes and foodies a weekend full of sporting, recreational and educational activities in a natural environment, in the spirit of maple products," explains Geneviève Béland, Director of Promotion, Innovation and Market Development for the FPAQ. And Serge Beaulieu, President of the FPAQ adds, "In this way, we can promote family sports activities in our magical maple groves as well the incredible culinary talent we have locally. And as we are working alongside the experts from the FQSC, the Tours de l'érable will be a professional cycling event and a guaranteed success."

Louis Barbeau, Director of the FQSC, also welcomes the variety of this event. "It's a wonderful concept that combines competition, a sporting challenge, recreation and delicious food, all in a family-friendly and fun environment. Well done to the FPAQ for promoting cycling sports."

The Tours de l'érable is part of the FPAQ's Fueled By Nature program, which was launched in 2012 to promote the many attributes and benefits that maple offers to athletes. The program is also sponsoring snowboarder Ariane Lavigne of Team Canada for the 2014 Winter Olympics, as well as the expedition Défi Équateur, in which climbers from Quebec will be taking on the Andes mountains in aid of the Rimouski Hospital Foundation.

To register for the Tours de l'érable from February 4 or to obtain more information, go to lestoursdelerable.ca.

About the FPAQ and Les Produits d'érable du Québec
The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers defends and promotes the economic, social and moral interests of Quebec maple syrup businesses and develops initiatives to collectively market their products. The quality work of the FPAQ and its 7,300 members has made Quebec the proud source of 80% of the world's maple syrup. Les Produits d'érable du Québec is the brand the FPAQ has developed to promote authentic maple products from Quebec.

Image with caption: "Mélanie Olivier (Vivaï), Geneviève Béland (FPAQ), Serge Beaulieu (FPAQ), Dany Saint-Pierre (chef), Benoît Huot (athlete) and Louis Barbeau (Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes) were present at the Fête de l'érable to present the 1st edition of Les tours de l'érable. (CNW Group/Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140204_C7240_PHOTO_EN_36199.jpg

SOURCE: Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

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Source:

Caroline Cyr
Promotions and Communications O
Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers
450 679-0540, ext. 8609
[email protected]

Information:

Marie-José Bégin
HÉMISHPÈRE relations publiques
514 747-6664 / 514 994-0802