Sara Poidevin charged over the hilly terrain of Gatineau Park in Quebec to win the U-23 Canadian time trial title and bring home the team’s fifth national title in four days. Poidevin flew around the 26-kilometer course in a blistering time of 40:01 to claim her first maple leaf jersey. In addition to taking the U-23 title, Poidevin finished third in the Elite category with Kirsti Lay just off the podium in fourth. Katherine Maine finished eighth, second in the U-23 category, with Sara Bergen in tenth. In the men’s race, Rob Britton continued his stellar season with a third place ride in the 36-kilometer test.
Katherine Maine and Sara Poidevin on the U-23 podium
"I always look forward to racing Canadian Road Nationals, and this year, I was proud to represent Rally Cycling at the event again,” said Poidevin. “Last year I finished with two second-place finishes in the U23 category so to get the jersey is a great feeling. I felt good out on course but was surprised to finish so high in the Elite category. It was incredible to share the podium with Katherine and it made the award ceremony extra special.”
The women tackled the rolling course in cool, rainy conditions with Poidevin laying down the early marker. It wasn’t until Leah Kirchmann (Team Sunweb) crossed the line that Poidevin relinquished the top spot. At the end of the day, it would be defending champion Karol-Ann Canuel (Boels Dolmans) that would take the win in the Elite category. Poidevin’s great ride garnered her the U-23 title and her first Elite Nationals podium, proving that she has fully recovered from an early season crash, which left her with a fractured arm. In the men’s race, newly crowned road race national champion, Matteo Dal-Cin set a good time early and eventually finished a respectable sixth. As the final riders took to the road, the sky opened and torrential rains fell. As the conditions grew worse, Britton powered around the course undeterred to finish third behind Nigel Ellsay (Silber Pro Cycling) and WorldTour strongman Svein Tuft (Orica - Scott).
Rob Britton drives through the rain en route to the final step of the podium
“With the success of both the women's and men's teams here at Nationals, I didn't have a choice but to show up and give it my absolute all,” said Britton. “Thankfully today that was enough! I am happy to be able to keep this incredible season rolling for the team. I am looking forward to a little time off, and then some altitude training before the second half of the season.”
Poidevin’s victory continues an incredible win streak for the team that has resulted in five national titles in the past week. Emma White kicked off the team’s gold rush by winning the United States U-23 time trial title on Saturday. Later in the day, White’s Canadian teammate Allison Beveridge won the road race at Canadian Road Nationals. On Sunday, Matteo Dal-Cin equaled Beveridge’s feat in the men’s event while White claimed her second U-23 stars and stripes jersey – this time in the road race.
Canadian Road Nationals continue tomorrow with the criterium, while the American members of Rally Cycling head to Louisville, Kentucky, for the USA Cycling U-23 and Criterium National Championships.
Canadian Road Nationals | Time Trial | Women
1. Karol-Ann Canuel (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team)
2. Leah Kirchmann (TeamSunweb)
3. Sara Poidevin (Rally Cycling)
4. Kirsti Lay (Rally Cycling)
5. Angela Naeth (The Cyclery-4iiii)
6. Jasmin Duehring (Sho-Air Twenty20)
7. Alison Jackson (BePink - Cogeas)
8. Katherine Maine (Rally Cycling)
9. Annie Foreman-Mackey (Sho-Air Twenty20)
10. Sara Bergen (Rally Cycling)
Canadian Road Nationals | Time Trial | Women U-23
1. Sara Poidevin (Rally Cycling)
2. Katherine Maine (Rally Cycling)
3. Emily Marcolini (HighGate Racing p/b D'Ornellas)
Canadian Road Nationals | Time Trial | Men
1. Svein Tuft (Orica - Scott)
2. Nigel Ellsay (Silber Pro Cycling)
3. Robert Britton (Rally Cycling)
4. Adam Roberge (Silber Pro Cycling)
5. Nickolas Zukowsky (Silber Pro Cycling)
6. Matteo Dal-Cin (Rally Cycling)
7 Alexander Cowan (Silber Pro Cycling)
8. Alexander Cataford (UnitedHealthcare)
9. Emile Jean (Silber Pro Cycling)
10. Travis Samuel (H&R Block)
