Rob Britton capped a roller coaster week in Canada for Rally Cycling with an incredible 40-kilometer solo breakaway that saw him cross the line over a minute clear of second place. In the last stage of Québec’s Tour de Beauce, the riders faced 12 laps on a 10-kilometer circuit that included a steep 1.5-kilometer climb and numerous twists and turns through the city of St-Georges.
Rob Britton on the podium after stage five at the Tour de Beauce
“I have been trying to get this win, on this course, for four or five years and to do it the way I did was amazing,” said Britton. “It was extra special to do it on Father's Day knowing my dad would be watching it at home. It was tough to lose so many guys through the week, but each day we came together and managed to salvage a great race after some pretty brutal luck early on.”
Britton’s win was the team’s second victory of the week at the Tour de Beauce after Matteo Dal-Cin won stage two on the notorious Mont Mégantic. The team also racked up four, third place finishes with Dal-Cin landing on the podium in the stage 3a time trial and stage four road race. Sepp Kuss took his turn on the podium in stages two and 3b.
Despite being ill, Sepp Kuss battled through the final stage in support of Britton
Despite two stage wins and four podiums, the Tour de Beauce was almost a disaster for Rally Cycling. In stage one the team was caught on the wrong side of an unexpected split in the peloton that put an end to the team’s general classification ambitions. The following day, as Dal-Cin climbed to glory on Mont Mégantic, Adam de Vos and Emerson Oronte were forced to abandon due to a stomach virus. The next day, sprinters Pierrick Naud and Eric Young succumbed to the same illness and were forced out of the race. Kuss would be the virus’s last victim, but he survived the final stage to complete the race.
“It was judgement day and Rob rode like Sarah Connor,” said Team Director Eric Wohlberg. “Even though illness ravaged us, the team really shined. The way the team came together each day was impressive and a testament to the resilience of the squad. I'm proud of the whole group as we continue to put together a memorable season.”
Tour de Beauce Stage 5
1. Rob Britton (Rally Cycling)
2. Diego Milan Jimenez (Inteja Dominican Cycling Team)
3. Francisco Mancebo (Canyon Bicycle)
4. Andzs Flaksis (Holowesko | Citadel)
5. Robin Carpenter (Holowesko | Citadel)
6. Clement Ruso (Team St-Étienne P/B Probikeshop)
7. Steve Fisher (Canyon Bicycles)
8. Edward Anderson (Axeon Hagens Berman
9. Geoffrey Curran (Axeon Hagens Berman
10. Bruno Langlois (Garneau Québecor
