Tuft holds on for America win

Svein Tuft (Symmetrics Cycling) has claimed the UCI America Tour's overall victory, with the series' standings finalised following the weekend's UCI World Road Championships in Stuttgart, Germany at the weekend. The 30 year-old Canadian claimed victory over 40 year-old runner up Hernan Buenahora Gutierrez, finishing with 234.66 points to the Colombian's 194.66.

"It's been a long, hard season for me," Tuft said. "But it's been one of the best. Having the goal of the America Tour has made me train harder, race harder and stay focused all year. It's been a 10-month stage race, in a way. But I'm just so happy we did this, both for the team and for Canada."

Tuft started his season on a high note with victory in the two-week long Tour of Cuba. He consolidated his position in the America Tour standings with victory at the US Open Championships.

The rider's success, and that of his Canadian trade team, has also helped lift Canada's standing in countries rankings. Having finished 2006 ranked in eighth from 19 nations, it has moved up five places to third in 2007.