Reproduced from the Courrier Frontenac 09.09.2026
https://www.courrierfrontenac.qc.ca/archives/9-September-2026/
Stéphane Demers wins bronze despite a catastrophic start to the season
Thetford cyclist Stéphane Demers won, on August 28, 2026 the bronze medal in the time trial of the Quebec Elite Road Cycling Championships, in the Master D category (65 years and older). The event took place in Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham, near Drummondville.
He completed the 16.3 kilometre course in 23 minutes and 28 seconds, only 24 seconds from the champion, Stéphane Le Beau. Daniel Blanche took the second place, only 20 seconds behind the cyclist from Thetford Mines.
Seven cyclists took part in this event, which usually attracts time trial specialists. The course had its share of technical difficulties. « It was a round trip including several sharp turns with cones in the centre and two half-turns that forced cyclists to slow down considerably, » Stéphane Demers told Courrier Frontenac.
It was a first participation in the Master D category. Although it is not the colour hoped for, this medal is of particular importance for the Thetford athlete. A few months earlier, he was far from knowing if he could even resume cycling this summer.
A heavy fall
On April 12, during his first event of the season in Sainte-Martine, Montérégie, Stéphane Demers was the victim of a heavy fall. Between 40 and 50 participants took part in this road event comprising six laps. Half-way, the peloton found itself facing the wind and tightened. Cyclists clung to him.
« It’s going fast and I didn’t have time to calm down. I served as a shield and it was my hip on the left side that took the blow. When I got up and put my leg on the floor, it hurt terribly. Unable to stand up. ”
He was diagnosed with a stable fracture of the pelvis. An operation was not necessary, but he had to spend several weeks without putting his foot on the ground and moving with a walker. This period of inactivity was particularly difficult for this man accustomed to spending several hours daily on his bike. « We produce our own endogenous morphine. When you stop, it’s like a withdrawal. If I don’t ride a bike for a day, I’m tired and have a headache. My body is accustomed to that. ”
As soon as he got the green light from the doctor and his physiotherapist to start moving again, Stéphane Demers gradually resumed his sport. « The physiotherapist gave me five minutes on the first day. I listened and then I did half an hour. The week after, I worked an hour a day. ”
The recovery was finally much faster than expected. Despite a certain caution, especially for fear of falling back on the side, he gradually resumed his outdoor outings. In particular, he participated this summer in the Tour cycliste du Lac Aylmer, in Beaulac-Garthby. At the time of writing, he had already travelled more than 20,000 kilometres since the beginning of the year.
No question of giving up completely
On the bike
Following his accident, the Thetfordois made an important decision: he wants to put an end to the events in the peloton. « I don’t want to relive what I went through this spring. There are only crazy people who don’t change their minds, but next year, I don’t think so. Maybe time trial races, but not group competitions where it often ends in sprints. The same goes for cycling events, there are people who are less accustomed to riding in a peloton and who are not paying attention. At my age, it doesn’t interest me anymore. ”
The competition could therefore be less present in the coming years, but certainly not the long outings. His personal record is about 30,000 kilometres in a single season. He usually does at least 24,000 kilometres per year. Every winter, he also goes to the Canary Islands to continue his training. Next January, he will return for a month. « I do an average of 158 kilometres, including 45 kilometres of ascent. This represents about seven hours of cycling per day, for a total of about 5,400 kilometres. ”
For Stéphane Demers, cycling is above all a real passion that has inhabited him for about thirty years now. He started by taking part in various competitions, where he won several podiums. Over the years, he has measured himself against several big names in cycling, including Sylvan Adams. He remembers in particular having taken part in getaways with him and André Lamarche, another athlete recognised in the cycling world.
His career has also led him to participate in several world championships. His best result remains a sixth place obtained in Australia, about ten years ago. He has also twice won the title of Quebec champion among the masters in the time trial, in addition to winning once the great honours in road racing, at the time when he was in the 55-64 year old category.
Despite the years, injuries and changes he envisages for the future, Stéphane Demers remains animated by the desire to surpass himself. « I don’t do it to beat others. It’s a personal challenge. I do this because I like it and not for glory. […] I never thought I would be able to get such good results. I say mission accomplished. ”
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