The Rally UHC Cycling duo of Allison Beveridge and Krista Doebel-Hickok sprinted to second and third place during Quebec’s GP Gatineau. The 104 km UCI 1.1 race traveled through beautiful Gatineau Park before entering the finishing circuits along the Ottawa River.
Despite a flurry of attacks in the final kilometers of the race, it came down to a sprint where the team led out Beveridge and Doebel-Hickok for the double-podium result.
“It’s always nice to stand on the podium,” said Beveridge. “Of course we wanted the win, but we’re happy with the outcome. Personally, it felt good to sprint again and give it a good go at the end of a road race.”
Beveridge is coming off of a successful track season where she finished second overall in the UCI World Cup Omnium standings and regularly bounces between disciplines. Her last UCI road race podium was her victory in the Canadian National Road Championships in 2017.
All hands on deck
In an impressive display of strength, all six riders from the team made the front group in the opening 40 km of racing.
“The team’s plan was to make the race hard through Gatineau Park and create a breakaway,” said Beveridge. “We were happy to have everyone in the front group of 20 riders and worked hard to stay away from the bunch behind.”
Beveridge surfed wheels inside the front group before launching her sprint with 200 meters to go. She attributed her success to the full commitment by her teammates.
“There was a slight split in the final kilometer caused by a hard finish and a lot of tired legs,” said Beveridge. “The team rode so well all day with Abby Mickey turning herself inside out to maintain our gap, and the others attacking in the finale. I was able to conserve and race for the win thanks to them.”
With Beveridge, Maine, and Mickey returning home following the Grand Prix, Bergen, Doebel-Hickok, and Ellsay are joined by Emma White for the Chrono Gatineau, a 17 km UCI 1.1 race against the clock on June 7th.
GP Gatineau results
1 Leah Kirchmann (Can) 2:45:14
2 Allison Beveridge (Can) Rally UHC Cycling
3 Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA) Rally UHC Cycling
4 Araine Bonhomme (Can)
5 Emily Newsom (USA) Tibco-SVB
6 Marie Soleil Blais (Can)
7 Edwige Pitel (Fra) Cogeas Mettler Look
8 Antri Christoforou (Cyp) Cogeas Mettler Look
9 Jennifer George (GBr)
10 Frederique Larose Gingras (Can)
