Featured Stories

Canadian Strongman Rob Britton Wins Tour of Utah America’s Toughest Stage Race for Biggest Win Yet

release by Rally Cycling

August 06, 2017 – Resplendent in yellow and surrounded by the orange jerseys of Rally Cycling, Rob Britton crossed the finish line of Stage 7 Sunday afternoon in front of the State Capitol Building, to be crowned the winner of the 2017 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.

Final podium  ©  Cor Vos
The victory marks his first UCI 2.HC stage race title and is a career-defining moment for the Canadian from Regina, Saskatchewan. A true champion, Britton is known for his relentless work ethic, dedication and loyalty to teammates. These characteristics are essential elements at the core of Rally Cycling and were on display in Utah as every member of the team sacrificed personal ambitions to defend the yellow jersey.

“This win means the world to me,” said Britton. “I have been working toward this my entire career. To pull off a win at the Tour of Utah is huge. I don’t know what I can say about the team; they were perfect. They never missed a beat and took care of me from day one. The team showed they are one of, if not the strongest, squads in North America. I just can’t thank them enough.”

Britton and his girlfriend  ©  Brian Hodes

Britton’s girlfriend flew down from Calgary to surprise him at the finish

Britton took control of the race on Wednesday with an incredible performance in the stage three uphill time trial where he moved into the lead ahead of overnight race leader and teammate, Sepp Kuss. Flying up Big Cottonwood Canyon in a time of 18:26, Britton dominated affairs arriving 13 seconds faster than runner-up Serghei Tvetcov (Jelly Belly-Maxxis) and 26 seconds faster than third-place Gavin Mannion (UnitedHealthcare). His masterful ride gave him a 26 second lead in the general classification over Mannion, with Tvetcov a further two seconds back. BMC’s Brent Bookwalter, the early race favorite, loomed in sixth overall at 44 seconds.

With Britton in the overall lead, and fully confident in their race leader, the team dedicated itself completely to the task of securing final victory. In the fourth stage into South Jordan City, the team endured sweltering heat and constant attacks but controlled the pace throughout the day, thanks in large part to two-time Utah stage winner Eric Young, who gave up his own chances for a third win. In addition to successfully defending the overall lead, Colin Joyce sprinted to a strong fourth place while Tour of Utah fans chose Young as their Favorite Sprinter. The team again defended the yellow jersey with panache in stage five. On the closing circuits around the city of Bountiful, attacks came fast and furious but were neutralized by Sepp Kuss and Adam de Vos. The duo rode tempo, matched every acceleration and delivered Britton safely across the line.

 ©  Brian Hodes
“Rob is one of the hardest working guys on the team,” said Eric Young. Day in and day out, every day we train together he is the one pushing the pace. When we had an opportunity this week to put ourselves on the front for him, we all wanted to do it because he deserves it. I might be more of a sprinter, but I’m part of this team, and if they need me to ride on the front, that is what I am going to do. I’m super proud of Rob and the team. Everyone had one or two outstanding performances that were critical, and that is what it takes to win a race like this.”

Eric Young and the rest of Rally Cycling dedicated themselves to Britton’s overall victory

Saturday’s stage six would be the team’s biggest challenge on the road to overall victory. The Tour of Utah’s queen stage included the climb up American Fork Canyon, before finishing atop the 4,000 ft ascent to Snowbird Resort. With a 26-second lead, other general classification riders knew it was their best, and perhaps last chance to dethrone Britton.

On the climb over American Fork Canyon, danger men Bookwalter and Taylor Eisenhart (Holowesko-Citadel) charged off the front, and with help from their teammates, who dropped back from an earlier breakaway to assist, built a lead of 1:20. With the yellow jersey threatened, Evan Huffman, Joyce and Danny Pate powered across the foothills east of Salt Lake City, steadily narrowing their deficit.

Marco Canola  ©  Cor Vos
As Huffman dieseled up the lower slopes of Snowbird, the gap to Bookwalter and Eisenhart fell to 15 seconds. It was then Kuss who guided the yellow jersey up the first half of the ascent. Britton then took control on the climb, setting the pace and marking his rivals. Bookwalter and Eisenhart slipped back due to their earlier efforts while neither Mannion nor Tvetcov proved able to distance themselves from Rally’s leader. Britton crossed the line in fifth and cemented his overall lead with one stage remaining.

 

Sepp Kuss  ©  Brian Hodes

After a week in the service of Britton, Sepp Kuss still finished ninth overall

Heading into the final day through the streets of Salt Lake City, the team once again controlled the pace and kept Britton near the front of the peloton and out danger. In the final run for the line, Marco Canola (Nippo – Vini Fantini) took the win while Britton crossed safely in sixth place to claim the biggest win of his career. In delivering a strong performance throughout the week, Kuss also finished up in ninth overall.

Final jerseys  ©  Cor Vos
“The guys had a fantastic week, and Rob is on the form of his life,” said Performance Manager Jonas Carney. “We brought the best possible team to defend the jersey if he could take the lead. As well as Rob is riding, he couldn’t have done it without the team. The guys just stepped up day-after-day and turned themselves inside out so that Rob could win this thing overall. I am super impressed with the way everyone on the team rode. All the guys gave up their chances at any result to make sure we took home the yellow jersey.”

Final podium celebrattions  ©  Cor Vos
Sunday’s overall win at the 2.HC ranked Tour of Utah marks the biggest stage race victory in the team’s 11 year history. With little respite however, the team will look to continue its most successful season to date next week, at the Colorado Classic.

Results

1. Marco Canola (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 2:40:18
2. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:02
3. Gavin Mannion (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
4. Patrick Müller (Sui) BMC Racing Team
5. Simone Andreetta (Ita) Bardiani CSF
6. Robert Britton (Can) Rally Cycling
7. Travis McCabe (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
8. Martin Elmiger (Sui) BMC Racing Team
9. Taylor Eisenhart (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear
10. Neilson Powless (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman
11. Sepp Kuss (USA) Rally Cycling
12. Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Bardiani CSF
13. Serghei Tvetcov (Rom) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
14. Miguel Benito (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:11
15. Jhonnatan Manuel Navaez Prado (Ecu) Axeon Hagens Berman
16. Robert Squire (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles
17. Pierpaolo Ficara (Ita) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 0:15
18. Christopher Butler (USA) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
19. Jonathan Clarke (Aus) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
20. Diego Rubio (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
21. Ruben Companioni (Cub) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear
22. Marco Bernardinetti (Ita) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest
23. Kilian Frankiny (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:19
24. Luca Wackermann (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:22
25. Nigel Ellsay (Can) Silber Pro Cycling 0:24
26. James Piccoli (Can) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling
27. Marco Zamparella (Ita) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest
28. Adam De Vos (Can) Rally Cycling
29. Simone Velasco (Ita) Bardiani CSF
30. Eder Frayre Moctezuma (Mex) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling
31. Silvan Dillier (Sui) BMC Racing Team
32. Keegan Swirbul (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
33. Eric Marcotte (USA) Cylance Cycling 0:33
34. David Galarreta Ugarte (Esp) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 0:36
35. Antonio Molina (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
36. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cycling
37. Alex Hoehn (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling
38. Manuel Sola Arjona (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
39. Fabio Calabria (Aus) Team Novo Nordisk 0:45
40. Ivan Santaromita (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 0:47
41. Jacob Rathe (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:51
42. Connor Brown (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 1:02
43. Andrei Krasilnikau (Blr) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 1:04
44. Tom Bohli (Sui) BMC Racing Team
45. Chris Winn (Aus) Hangar 15 Bicycles
46. Kyle Murphy (USA) Cylance Cycling 1:06
47. Sebastian Haedo (Arg) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 1:14
48. Jordan Cheyne (Can) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 1:19
49. Evan Huffman (USA) Rally Cycling
50. Stephen Bassett (USA) Silber Pro Cycling 1:23
51. Lachlan Norris (Aus) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
52. Hendrikus Van Ijzendoorn (Ned) Team Novo Nordisk
53. Manuel Senni (Ita) BMC Racing Team 1:25
54. Giacomo Berlato (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 1:29
55. Steve Fisher (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 1:37
56. Logan Owen (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman
57. John Murphy (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 1:38
58. Ulises Alfredo Castillo Soto (Mex) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
59. Dennis Van Winden (Ned) Israel Cycling Academy
60. Joseph Schmalz (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 1:41
61. Joey Rosskopf (USA) BMC Racing Team
62. Kaler Marshall (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 1:42
63. Chad Beyer (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 1:45
64. Joshua Berry (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
65. Justin Oien (USA) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
66. Lorenzo Rota (Ita) Bardiani CSF 1:56
67. Michael Rice (Aus) Axeon Hagens Berman
68. Vincenzo Albanese (Ita) Bardiani CSF 1:57
69. Gonzalo Serrano Rodriguez (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 1:59
70. Mihkel Räim (Est) Israel Cycling Academy 2:01
71. Redi Halilaj (Alb) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest
72. Andzs Flaksis (Lat) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 2:04
73. Cortlan Brown (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 2:27
74. Janier Alexis Acevedo Calle (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 2:29
75. Alex Aranburu Deba (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
76. Christopher Jones (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 2:33
77. Adam Roberge (Can) Silber Pro Cycling
78. Rui Oliveira (Por) Axeon Hagens Berman 2:41
79. Sam Brand (Gbr) Team Novo Nordisk 2:46
80. Emerson Oronte (USA) Rally Cycling 2:56
81. Guillaume Boivin (Can) Israel Cycling Academy 3:19
82. Francisco Mancebo Perez (Esp) Hangar 15 Bicycles 3:27
83. Luis Lemus (Mex) Israel Cycling Academy 3:31
84. Jonathan Brown (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman 4:00
85. Bryan Lewis (USA) Cylance Cycling 4:35
86. Daniel Jaramillo (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 5:25
87. Andres Miguel Diaz Corrales (Col) Cylance Cycling
88. Damiano Cima (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 5:29
89. Alan Marangoni (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini
90. Pier-André Côté (Can) Silber Pro Cycling 5:35
91. Erik Slack (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 6:19
92. Simone Sterbini (Ita) Bardiani CSF 6:23
93. Tyler Williams (USA) Israel Cycling Academy
94. Paolo Simion (Ita) Bardiani CSF 6:28
95. Oscar Clark (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 7:31
96. Umberto Poli (Ita) Team Novo Nordisk 8:48
97. Besmir Banushi (Alb) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest
98. Stephen Clancy (Irl) Team Novo Nordisk
99. Taylor Shelden (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 8:52
100. Eric Young (USA) Rally Cycling 0:11:43
DNF Angus Morton (Aus) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
DNF Reid Mcclure (Can) Team Novo Nordisk
DNF Guy Niv (Isr) Israel Cycling Academy
DNF Aviv Yechzkel (Isr) Israel Cycling Academy
DNF William Barta (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman
DNF Orlando Trinidad Garibay Contreras (Mex) Cylance Cycling
DNF Cory Lockwood (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling
DNF Tyler Magner (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear
DNF Danny Pate (USA) Rally Cycling
DNF Julien Gagne (Can) Silber Pro Cycling
DNF Marc-Antoine Soucy (Can) Garneau Québecor
DNS Daniel Turek (Cze) Israel Cycling Academy

Final GC

1. Robert Britton (Can) Rally Cycling 22:48:03
2. Gavin Mannion (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:22
3. Serghei Tvetcov (Rom) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:32
4. Neilson Powless (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman 0:35
5. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 2:00
6. Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Bardiani CSF 2:16
7. Jonathan Clarke (Aus) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 2:41
8. Christopher Butler (USA) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 2:47
9. Sepp Kuss (USA) Rally Cycling 2:55
10. James Piccoli (Can) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 3:00
11. Taylor Eisenhart (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 3:03
12. Pierpaolo Ficara (Ita) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 3:24
13. Nigel Ellsay (Can) Silber Pro Cycling 5:01
14. Antonio Molina (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 5:13
15. Jhonnatan Manuel Navaez Prado (Ecu) Axeon Hagens Berman 6:00
16. Kyle Murphy (USA) Cylance Cycling 6:32
17. Eder Frayre Moctezuma (Mex) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 7:31
18. Ivan Santaromita (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 0:11:09
19. Kilian Frankiny (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:12:34
20. Silvan Dillier (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:13:03
21. Martin Elmiger (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:16:04
22. Marco Zamparella (Ita) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 0:16:16
23. Manuel Senni (Ita) BMC Racing Team 0:16:17
24. Daniel Jaramillo (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:17:19
25. Robert Squire (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:17:50
26. Francisco Mancebo Perez (Esp) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:20:55
27. Marco Canola (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 0:21:23
28. Ruben Companioni (Cub) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 0:21:53
29. Manuel Sola Arjona (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:21:55
30. Adam De Vos (Can) Rally Cycling 0:22:33
31. Keegan Swirbul (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:22:40
32. Dennis Van Winden (Ned) Israel Cycling Academy 0:24:31
33. Lachlan Norris (Aus) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:26:10
34. Joey Rosskopf (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:26:11
35. Emerson Oronte (USA) Rally Cycling 0:26:57
36. Luca Wackermann (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:27:31
37. Luis Lemus (Mex) Israel Cycling Academy 0:28:09
38. Alex Hoehn (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 0:29:38
39. Travis McCabe (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:32:03
40. Alex Aranburu Deba (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:32:11
41. Patrick Müller (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:35:34
42. Chad Beyer (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:37:04
43. Gonzalo Serrano Rodriguez (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:37:14
44. Miguel Benito (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:37:31
45. Lorenzo Rota (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:38:29
46. Redi Halilaj (Alb) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 0:39:49
47. Christopher Jones (USA) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:40:32
48. David Galarreta Ugarte (Esp) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 0:41:53
49. Jacob Rathe (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:42:02
50. Logan Owen (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman 0:42:13
51. Simone Sterbini (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:42:15
52. Simone Velasco (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:43:13
53. Rui Oliveira (Por) Axeon Hagens Berman 0:45:40
54. Stephen Bassett (USA) Silber Pro Cycling 0:45:41
55. Connor Brown (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 0:45:51
56. Guillaume Boivin (Can) Israel Cycling Academy 0:47:20
57. Andrei Krasilnikau (Blr) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 0:47:28
58. Steve Fisher (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:47:34
59. Chris Winn (Aus) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:47:50
60. Diego Rubio (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:48:15
61. Simone Andreetta (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:49:08
62. Giacomo Berlato (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 0:49:36
63. Marco Bernardinetti (Ita) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 0:59
64. Adam Roberge (Can) Silber Pro Cycling 0:50:22
65. Kaler Marshall (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:50:47
66. Eric Marcotte (USA) Cylance Cycling 0:51:48
67. Janier Alexis Acevedo Calle (Col) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:52:06
68. Fabio Calabria (Aus) Team Novo Nordisk 0:52:33
69. Justin Oien (USA) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:52:35
70. Erik Slack (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:52:49
71. Jonathan Brown (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman 0:52:54
72. Ulises Alfredo Castillo Soto (Mex) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:53:26
73. Andzs Flaksis (Lat) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 0:53:35
74. Joshua Berry (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:53:47
75. Michael Rice (Aus) Axeon Hagens Berman 0:53:51
76. Mihkel Räim (Est) Israel Cycling Academy 0:53:53
77. Tom Bohli (Sui) BMC Racing Team 0:54:08
78. Evan Huffman (USA) Rally Cycling 0:54:56
79. Vincenzo Albanese (Ita) Bardiani CSF 0:55:02
80. Cortlan Brown (USA) Hangar 15 Bicycles 0:56:04
81. Tyler Williams (USA) Israel Cycling Academy 0:57:12
82. John Murphy (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 0:57:56
83. Bryan Lewis (USA) Cylance Cycling 0:58:02
84. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cycling 0:58:41
85. Sebastian Haedo (Arg) UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:59:15
86. Umberto Poli (Ita) Team Novo Nordisk 1:00:27
87. Besmir Banushi (Alb) Amore & Vita – Selle SMP p/b Fondriest 1:01:32
88. Oscar Clark (USA) Holowesko / Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear 1:02:33
89. Andres Miguel Diaz Corrales (Col) Cylance Cycling 1:02:41
90. Taylor Shelden (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 1:03:40
91. Paolo Simion (Ita) Bardiani CSF 1:04:25
92. Hendrikus Van Ijzendoorn (Ned) Team Novo Nordisk 1:05:52
93. Jordan Cheyne (Can) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 1:06:34
94. Sam Brand (Gbr) Team Novo Nordisk 1:06:39
95. Joseph Schmalz (USA) Elevate – KHS Pro Cycling 1:10:35
96. Alan Marangoni (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 1:10:49
97. Eric Young (USA) Rally Cycling 1:11:25
98. Damiano Cima (Ita) Nippo – Vini Fantini 1:14:23
99. Pier-André Côté (Can) Silber Pro Cycling 1:14:41
100. Stephen Clancy (Irl) Team Novo Nordisk 1:19:07





1 Comments For This Post

  1. Ben Aroundo, ON, Canada says:

    What the hey? NICE guys can finish first. Super achievement that makes Canada proud. Good job kiddo.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.


Pedal Magazine