The 2013 Tour of Alberta has finally begun, after years of planning, with an opening 7.3km prologue through the streets of downtown Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta.
Tens of thousands of spectators and cyclist enthusiasts gathered at the start and finish area, at Winston Churchill Square downtown Edmonton, and all along the short, gruelling course to see some of the World’s best riders compete for the ultimate honours of the inaugural, six-day Tour of Alberta.
Canada opened up the stage race with Rob Britton posting the fastest time among the group representing the National Team, showing a 41s deficit on the fastest time set by Peter Sagan of Cannondale Pro Cycling.
“I rolled the dice. It was the first time racing for me on this bike, which I borrowed from Antoine Duchesne. I put my all, and got close to the Top Canadian,” said Rob Britton, still cooling down after his effort.
“It’s pretty amazing to race in front of so many fans. In some sections, I couldn’t carry myself breathing, with a ton of noise. It was incredible. I’d never thought I’d see the day where we could get so many people out cheering on a bike race in Canada. I think this is a reflection of the momentum that cycling has built over the last few years. It’s getting bigger and bigger each year. Hopefully this is not the end of the momentum and we can keep building from here.”
As for the next five days of racing, Britton thinks it won’t be as easy as it’s been reported: “Just wait and see. They are hard courses. People are saying that it would be easy because there are no climbs, but its not going make it easier, just different. It’s gonna be pretty hurting. I can almost guarantee you’ll see some carnage, some massive group splits on some of those days. Tough racing.”
Antoine Duchesne, two-time U23 Canadian Road Champion, finished with a time just one second slower than his teammate Britton.
“I didn’t do too many mistakes today. It’s a beautiful course, very fast. I was able to engage nicely into the turns, with lots of speed. The end of the course offered some interesting difficulties. I don’t think I could have done better today, so I am really satisfied with the result,” said Duchesne. “The climb was tough. It came after a long straight section of about four minutes of maximum efforts. It was tough to climb.”
“For a first day of competition, there was a really good vibe with a tons of supporters coming out for the race, all along the course. To be racing here in Canada, in front of Canadian in such an important race is difficult to explain. It makes me and my teammates really proud to wear the Maple Leaf and race for the National team. It’s a great honor to be among some of the best Canadians in the race. There are lots of big names in Canadian Cycling here with Zach Bell and Ryder Hesjedal notably. To wear the national team uniform and to be side to side with these guys is a tremendous honor.”
Some big cycling names are present for this first edition of the Tour of Alberta, including Tour de France winner Cadel Evans of BMC Racing, Giro d’Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin-Sharp and #2-ranked rider Peter Sagan of Cannondale Pro Cycling. Reigning Canadian Road Champion, Zach Bell of Champion Pro System, is also among the peloton of 117 cyclists.
The Canadian broadcast partner for the Tour of Alberta, Sportsnet, will be airing the race live for two hours each day, along with daily one-hour highlights program to air in primetime each day of the race. Globally, the Tour of Alberta will be broadcast in 162 countries, reaching an estimated168 million viewers.
The Tour of Alberta continues Wednesday with the first mass-start road race, a 158.1km trek between Camrose and Strathcona County.
Follow Cycling Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyclingcanada and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/cyclingcanada
2013 TOUR OF ALBERTA – RESULTS, STAGE 1
1. Peter Sagan Slovakia | Cannondale Pro Cycling 8:28
2. Rohan Dennis Australia | Team Garmin-Sharp +:13
3. Tobias Ludvigsson Swenden | Team Argos-Shimano +:14
4. Cadel Evans Australia | BMC Racing Team +:20
5. Brent Bookwalter United States | BMC Racing Team +:21
6. Chad Haga United States | Optum P/b Kelly Benefit Strategies +:23
7. Pieter Weening Netherlands | ORICA GreenEDGE +:29
8. David Zabriskie United States | Team Garmin-Sharp +:30
9. Tom Zirbel United States | Optum P/b Kelly Benefit Strategies +:30
10. Ryder Hesjedal Canada | Team Garmin-Sharp +:30
==========
23. Rob Britton Canada | Canadian National Team +:41
26. Antoine Duchesne Canada | Canadian National Team +:42
66. Garrett Mcleod Canada | Canadian National Team +:57
80. Ryan Aitcheson Canada | Canadian National Team +1:11
82. Jean-Michel Lachance Canada | Canadian National Team +1:12
91. Stuart Wight Canada | Canadian National Team +1:22
92. Derrick St John Canada | Canadian National Team +1:22
2013 TOUR OF ALBERTA – OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1. Peter Sagan Slovakia | Cannondale Pro Cycling 8:28
2. Rohan Dennis Australia | Team Garmin-Sharp +:13
3. Tobias Ludvigsson Swenden | Team Argos-Shimano +:14
4. Cadel Evans Australia | BMC Racing Team +:20
5. Brent Bookwalter United States | BMC Racing Team +:21
6. Chad Haga United States | Optum P/b Kelly Benefit Strategies +:23
7. Pieter Weening Netherlands | ORICA GreenEDGE +:29
8. David Zabriskie United States | Team Garmin-Sharp +:30
9. Tom Zirbel United States | Optum P/b Kelly Benefit Strategies +:30
10. Ryder Hesjedal Canada | Team Garmin-Sharp +:30
==========
23. Rob Britton Canada | Canadian National Team +:41
26. Antoine Duchesne Canada | Canadian National Team +:42
66. Garrett Mcleod Canada | Canadian National Team +:57
80. Ryan Aitcheson Canada | Canadian National Team +1:11
82. Jean-Michel Lachance Canada | Canadian National Team +1:12
91. Stuart Wight Canada | Canadian National Team +1:22
92. Derrick St John Canada | Canadian National Team +1:22
2013 TOUR OF ALBERTA – THE STAGES
Prologue: Tuesday, September 3; Edmonton (7.3 km)
Stage 1: Wednesday, September 4; Strathcona County to Camrose (158.1 km)
Stage 2: Thursday, September 5; Devon to Red Deer (174.8 km)
Stage 3: Friday, September 6; Strathmore to Drumheller (169.8 km)
Stage 4: Saturday, September 7; Black Diamond/Foothills (169.9 km)
Stage 5: Sunday, September 8 – Okotoks to Calgary (129.4 km)
2013 TOUR OF ALBERTA – THE JERSEYS
Province of Alberta Leader Jersey (Yellow): Peter Sagan Slovakia | Cannondale Pro Cycling 8:28
SUBWAY® Sprint Jersey (Green): Rohan Dennis Australia | Team Garmin-Sharp 10 pts
Budweiser Crown King of the Mountains Jersey (Red Polka Dots): Tom Jelte Slagter Netherlands | Belkin Pro Cycling Team 10 pts
CWB Best Young Rider Jersey (White): Peter Sagan Slovakia | Cannondale Pro Cycling 8:28
Best Canadian Jersey (Red): Ryder Hesjedal Canada | Team Garmin-Sharp +:30
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.