July 14, 2013 (White Rock, BC) – Despite an impressive resume that includes multiple BC Superweek victories and representing Canada at two Summer Olympics, North Vancouver’s Zach Bell (Champion System) has never won the Tour de White Rock’s Peace Arch News Road Race – until now.
Bell broke away from the group with about eight laps to go in the gruelling 134 kilometre trek and finished nearly four minutes ahead of Germany’s Michael Schweizer (NSP Ghost/Team Germany) and almost five minutes before German rider Florenz Knauer (Team Baier Landshut) crossed the finish line. Bell’s time was three hours, 31 minutes and 38 seconds.
“Guys were trying to stretch the group and snap the elastic right from beginning and I just tried to float a bit. Once we got twelve guys away, I put in a soft one on the flats to keep the group moving and they let me roll. I got up to Jesse Reams and we rolled for about a lap, but the second time up the hill, he didn’t have much left and I tried to wait for him,” Bell explained. “I just tried to keep the pressure on, stay at a steady tempo until it was two to go and then just jammed it. I kept hearing that the group was getting smaller and smaller and when you’re away, that’s nothing but good news.”
After doing 11 laps around a longer 10.1-kilometer circuit that includes a brutally steep climb, Bell began dropping riders even more so after the men moved into the shorter 3.8-kilometer course for the final six laps, including one big climb.
As the lone member of the Champion Systems team on the course, Bell, who is the 2013 Canadian Elite Men’s National Road Race champion, thought the Peace Arch News Road Race levelled the playing field.
“I wanted to win something this week and it’s pretty tough with the teams and this Road Race is a course that can negate the teams,” Bell continued. “I kind of had my eye on it and I’ve been climbing reasonably well this year.”
The 30-year-old, Watson Lake, Yukon-raised Bell was especially pleased to check the event off his bucket list.
“It’s my first win in the National Champs jersey, so it’s a nice thing to do, and especially to do it in one of my home races and a race I’ve never won before.”
When asked why he enjoyed a course that seemed so difficult and demanding – only 11 of the original 76 riders crossed the finish line – Bell didn’t pull any punches.
“I like to suffer and this is a good course to suffer on. Guys who don’t like to suffer don’t do well here,” laughed Bell. “With the level of field here it suits me. With a deeper field of better climbers, I might not do so well, but I’ve been doing well on the hilly, classic-type courses in Europe and Asia, so this is right up my alley.”
For Knauer, BC Superweek this year ended with six straight appearances in the top three. The Lisberg, Germany product was second in Saturday’s Choices Markets criterium, second in Friday’s Hill Climb, he won the Giro di Burnaby on Thursday and finished third in Wednesday’s Gastown Grand Prix and Tuesday’s UBC Grand Prix.
Women’s Race
With Team NOW and Novartis for MS on the podium twelve times prior to the Peace Arch News Road Race, there was a good chance that one of its eight riders would be on the podium once again Sunday afternoon. And after the eight lap, 80 kilometre race was done, it was a NOW rider on top, but one who hadn’t previously been on the podium during BC Superweek this year.
Kathryn Donovan, who hails from Oxnard, California, finished almost three minutes ahead of her teammate Lex Albrecht of Montreal, Quebec. Albrecht, 2012 Canadian Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Glaesser (Team Tibco), and another NOW and Novartis for MS rider Olivia Dillon sprinted to the finish line with Albrecht and Glaesser claiming second and third, respectively.
“We let other girls set the pace for the first half of the race and with three laps to go we started attacking,” Donovan said. “Then it dwindled down to four of us and we were trying to attack to get Jasmine off the wheels.”
Donovan was quick to give credit to Glaesser.
“She’s really strong, she was setting the pace on the climbs, so she’s a really good climber,” Donovan added. “She’s a good sprinter too, but we wanted to keep Lex and Olivia in the overall omnium GC.”
Despite the difficulty of the course, Donovan actually relished it.
“I really liked it, it was hard. We were either going up or down,” continued Donovan. “Every lap, I noticed the pack dwindle down.”
After sweeping the podium in Friday’s Homelife Realty Hill Climb and Saturday’s Choices Markets Criterium, Glaesser was very aware of the threat that the ladies from NOW and Novartis for MS represented.
“Going into the race, when NOW had eight riders on the start line, it was going to be tricky no matter what. My plan was to make it a really hard race and go for broke and see what happens,” Glaesser said. “At the end I was in a really tricky situation with four NOW riders and myself – it’s not a good place to be in – so eventually I had to make a decision knowing the win was unlikely. I had to let one of the riders go and try to fight it out for second or third place. I think at the end of the day after seeing how the odds stacked up at the start, I’m happy with third place.”
Glaesser, who was born in Germany, but lives in Coquitlam, feels that for the next event, things will be a little more even.
“Later this week when I’m down in Bend, Oregon for the Cascade Cycling Classic, I’ll have my teammates with me and we’ll see how things work out then,” smiled Glaesser. “But the NOW team did a great job throughout BC Superweek and for them to come out is great in building the women’s field.”
One of four BC Superweek ambassadors, Albrecht had finished no worse than first on the podium during this year’s series after winning the MK Delta Lands criterium ten days ago and this past Friday’s Hill Climb, but she was second on this day. Not that it bothered Albrecht though, she was happy to see one of her teammates on top.
“Cycling is a team sport and a lot of people don’t understand that, especially because we have individual results at the end of the race with our own names beside them, but our goal is to have one girl on the top step of the podium and when we have the opportunity, we’re going to try and paint the podium with the blue and orange of NOW and Novartis for MS as much as possible.”
Despite not racing in BC Superweek before, it was obvious that the event had already carved out a special place in Albrecht’s heart, especially being on the podium in her home country.
“It’s definitely extra special. I love racing with my team here in Canada, we usually race in the United States so it’s a excellent opportunity to race at home and share what Canada’s all about with my teammates,” a visibly proud Albrecht said. “They’ve all been really impressed with not only the beauty of the Lower Mainland of BC, but also the hospitality of the people and this was generally just a great experience overall for everybody.”
Omniums or Overall Titles
Albrecht’s second place finish along with a win in Friday’s Hill Climb gave her the Tour de White Rock omnium, or overall, title ahead of teammate Dillon, who was fourth on Sunday.
Finishing in third allowed Knauer to take the men’s overall for the Tour de White Rock, seven points ahead of countryman Tim Gebauer (German National Team).
Results
Women
1. Kathryn Donovan (Usa) NOW and Novartis for MS 2:20:49
2. Lex Albrecht (Can) NOW and Novartis for MS 2:23:34
3. Jasmin Glaesser (Can) Team Tibco
4. Olivia Dillon (Irl) NOW and Novartis for MS
5. Devon Gorry (Usa) NOW and Novartis for MS 2:26:33
6. Megan Rathwell (Can) Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes
7. Anika Todd (Can) 2:26:38
8. Kristine Brynjolfson (Can) Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes 2:30:03
9. Annie Foreman-Mackey (Can) Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery 2:33:07
10. Carrie Cartmill (Can) Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery 2:34:04
11. Lauretta Hanson (Aus) 2:36:48
12. Beth Duryea (Aus) Specialized-lululemon 2:37:10
13. Allison Arensman (Usa) NOW and Novartis for MS
14. Spencer Stacey (Can) Republic
15. Adriane Provost (Can) Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery
16. Sarah Coney (Can) Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes
17. Justine Clift (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling 2:37:12
18. Erin Redl (Can) Steed Cycles 2:37:16
19. Emily Flynn (Can) Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery 2:38:13
20. Maggie Coles-Lyster (Can) Local Ride Racing 2:38:22
DNF Robin Farina (Usa) NOW and Novartis for MS
DNF Lauren Rauck Komanski (Usa) NOW and Novartis for MS
DNF Maura Kinsella (Usa) NOW and Novartis for MS
DNF Jana Schemmer (Ger) RSV Unna
DNF Audrey Bernard (Can) Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery
DNF Candice Vermeulen (Can) Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery
DNF Shoshauna Laxson (Can) Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Jenny Lehmann (Can) Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Tessa Pinckston (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Meghan Grant (Can) Local Ride Racing
DNF Haley Warkentin (Can) Russ Hays Accent Inns p/b Pacific Cycling Centre
DNF Allison Beveridge (Can) Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Jennifer McMahon (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNS Joëlle Numainville (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNS Denise Ramsden (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNS Gillian Carleton (Can) Specialized-lululemon
DNS Sophie Williamson (Nzl) Vanderkitten
DNS Kate Chilcott (Nzl) Vanderkitten
DNS Jessica Cutler (Usa) Vanderkitten
DNS Rhae Shaw (Can) Vanderkitten
DNS Katie Rushton (Can) Oak Bay Bikes
DNS Gina Haatz (Ger)
Men
1. Zachary Bell (Can) Champion System 31:38.1
2. Michael Schweizer (Ger) NSP Ghost / Team Germany 35:43.8
3. Florenz Knauer (Ger) Team Baier Landshut 36:25.7
4. Dion Smith (Nzl) Predator Carbon Repair
5. Tim Gebauer (Ger) National Team Germany
6. Will Routley (Can) Accent-Jobs-Wanty
7. Adam de Vos (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
8. Jon Hornbeck (Usa) Hagens Berman Cycling
9. Tommy Nankervis (Aus) BISSELL Pro Cycling Team 37:02.2
10. Marsh Cooper (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 38:14.5
11. Kyle Buckosky (Can) Team H&R Block 38:54.8
OTL Gabriel Varela (Usa) Jamis Hagens Berman
OTL Philip Mooney (Usa) Jamis Hagens Berman
OTL Dustin Andrews (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
OTL Anton Varabei (Can) Jet Fuel Coffee/Norco Bicycles
OTL Stuart Wight (Can) Hagens Berman Cycling
OTL David Gerth (Can) Triple Crown Racing
OTL Brett Boniface (Can) Garneau Evolution
OTL Gregory Christian (Usa) Garneau Evolution
OTL Noah Bloom (Can) Garneau Evolution
OTL Nigel Kinney (Usa) Musette Caffe
OTL Colin Gibson (Usa) Keller Rohrback Cycling
OTL Dylan Davies (Can) Super Champion
OTL Christopher Williams (Aus) Team Novo Nordisk
OTL Tom Soladay (Usa) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
OTL Daniel MacDonald (Can) RideOkanagan.com
DNF Christian Meier (Can) Orica GreenEDGE
DNF Guido Palma (Arg) Jamis Hagens Berman
DNF Demis Aleman (Arg) Jamis Hagens Berman
DNF Ken Hanson (Usa) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNF Justin Kerr (Nzl) Team H&R Block
DNF Ryan MacDonald (Can) Team H&R Block
DNF Garrett McLeod (Can) Team H&R Block
DNF Hendrik Werner (Ger) Team HED by STAPS
DNF Benjamin Stauder (Ger) Team Baier Landshut
DNF Yannick Mayer (Ger) Team Baier Landshut
DNF Daniel Bichlmann (Ger)
DNF Cody Canning (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Jesse Reams (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Bailey McKnight (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Brad Clifford (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Henri De Boever (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
DNF Brandon Etzl (Can) Jet Fuel Coffee/Norco Bicycles
DNF Yuri Hrycaj (Can) Jet Fuel Coffee/Norco Bicycles
DNF Travis Samuel (Can) Jet Fuel Coffee/Norco Bicycles
DNF Bruno Nella (Can) Tranquilo Racing PMS/ Code Performance Wear
DNF Chris Stastny (Usa) Hagens Berman Cycling
DNF Cid Martinez-Arroyo (Can) Russ Hays Accent Inns p/b Pacific Cycling Centre
DNF Steven Grandy (Can) Russ Hays Accent Inns p/b Pacific Cycling Centre
DNF Luke Koolman (Can) Russ Hays Accent Inns p/b Pacific Cycling Centre
DNF Travis Streb (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Mark Rainer (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Emil Marcetta (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Ted Matson (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Bartholomew Ludbrook (Nzl) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF David Gillam (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Marvin Isaza Guzman (Can) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Mac Brennan (Usa) BISSELL Pro Cycling Team
DNF Mackenzie Garvin (Can) Cyclemiesters Bow Cycle
DNF Ty Andrews (Can) Cyclemeisters Bow Cycle
DNF Geoffrey Parslow (Can) Todd’s Racing
DNF Sherwood Plant (Can) Musette Caffe
DNF Richard Machhein (Can) Local Ride Racing
DNF Teklit Zeweldi (Eri) Tranquilo Racing PMS/ Code Performance Wear
DNF Matthew O’Hagan (Can)
DNF Stephen Clancy (Irl) Team Novo Nordisk
DNF Thomas Raeymaekers (Bel) Team Novo Nordisk
DNF Jeffrey Werner (Can) Russ Hays Accent Inns p/b Pacific Cycling Centre
DNF Trevor Pearson (Can)
DNF Craig Jones (Gbr) Glotman Simpson Cycling
DNF Geoffrey Homer (Can) Opus/OGC
DNF Chris McNeil (Can) Soul Sportif
DNF Marcel deLisser (Usa)
DNF Chris Gruber (Can) Champion System p/b Stans NoTubes
DNF Meisner Clayton (Can) RideOkanagan.com
DNF Andrea Ciacchini (Ita) Team Novo Nordisk
DNS Nic Hamilton (Can) Jelly Belly presented by Kenda
DNS Luis Amaran (Cub) Jamis Hagens Berman
DNS Ryan Anderson (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNS Eric Young (Usa) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNS Alex Candelario (Usa) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNS Sebastian Salas (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
DNS Kristofer Dahl (Can) Team H&R Block
DNS Federico Marchiori (Ita) Team H&R Block
DNS Aaron Schooler (Can) Team H&R Block
DNS Ben Wortelboer (Nzl) Team H&R Block
DNS Thomas Radermacher (Ger) Team HED by STAPS / Team Germany
DNS Joachim Tolles (Ger) Team HED by STAPS / Team Germany
DNS Maurice Worsfold (Can) Tranquilo Racing PMS/ Code Performance Wear
DNS Chris Worsfold (Can) Tranquilo Racing PMS/ Code Performance Wear
DNS Matt Usborne (Can) Tranquilo Racing PMS/ Code Performance Wear
DNS Michael Van Den Ham (Can) Russ Hays Accent Inns p/b Pacific Cycling Centre
DNS Chad Adair (Nzl) Full Circle Cycling
DNS Louis Crosby (Nzl)
DNS Ed Veal (Can) RealDeal / Gears p/b Fieldgate
DNS Branden Russell (Usa) Team Novo Nordisk
DNS Brad Tuhi (Nzl) Full Circle Cycling
DNS Mark Sherman (Irl) Musette Caffe
DNS Colter Young (Can)
DNS Jonathan Braunstein (Can) Todds Racing