A Bagotville team at Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Since 2010, the command of CFB Bagotville has been promoting healthy lifestyles under the umbrella of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie (GDPL), which in fact originated right here in Saguenay.

Absent since the start of the pandemic, due to the postponement of the last two editions, the soldiers of CFB Bagotville will make a big comeback this year during the 1000 km by bike which will be held from June 9 to 12.

The Grand Défi will leave from downtown La Baie to cycle to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, with major stops in several other cities in the province. These stops will be a good opportunity to promote the values of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and to highlight CFB Bagotville. Especially since the Bagotville Interin national Air Show (SAIB) is one of the main financial partners of the cycling team, which will cover 1,000 km by bike in 60 hours.

The commanders of 2nd and 3rd Wing say they are particularly proud to maintain this close link with the event, especially since the Bagotville Base is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

In connection with the GDPL, the CFB Bagotville team will sponsor throughout 2022 the Saint-Félix elementary school, located in Saint-Félix d'Otis, a living environment that the Commander of 2 Wing know well.

“The ultimate goal of this sponsorship is to have a positive impact on the community. “What could be better than positively influencing young people our region to an active lifestyle and the adoption of healthy lifestyles! “, he commented.

According to Captain André Mimeault, GDPL convoy leader and 3 Wing soldier, the 2022 edition is in a way a revival of the 2020 event which had to be canceled, but the actors have changed, which will represent a additional challenge.

Members of the military interested in following the example of members of the official team and thus familiarizing themselves with cycling sports and healthy lifestyles are invited to register for the Boucle du Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, which will take place on June 11 in Sorel-Tracy.

All the details are available on the Grand Défi website at www.legdpl.com.