A team from the Islands for the return of the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie 1000km

The Grand défi Pierre Lavoie is back in its traditional format.

A team from the archipelago will travel next week to La Baie, Saguenay, to take part.

The cyclists will alternate on a 1000 kilometer route between the small Saguenay town and the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, passing through the Mauricie Park.

One of the participants, François Gaulin, says he is always surprised to see the support of the Madelinots, both from individuals and businesses.

The team, completed by Valérie Landry, Jason Boros, Amélie Poirier, Annie Turbide and Julien-Claude Boudreau, has already raised more than $77,000, surpassing its result from 2019, the last regular edition of the Grand défi.

It is possible to contribute to the fundraiser until August.

François Gaulin reminds us that the particularity of the event is that the money raised goes directly to the schools of the Islands.

He says he is feeling a lot of excitement as he gets ready to leave.

During the pandemic, the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie adjusted itself by developing an adapted formula that allowed each community to participate.

It is back for a third edition this year.