Routley holds off Randell for Canadian title

Once again, road nationals proved that it's the one event of the year where there are no absolute favourites. It doesn't matter whether you are a pro with one of the top teams in the world, or a domestically-based rider, this race has shown time and again that any rider can rise to the occasion.

Despite overnight rain, race day dawned bright and sunny, with a promise of hot conditions to challenge riders. The organisers had managed to pull off the impressive feat of total road closure in the middle of a major city, allowing riders to race without the added burdens of rolling enclosures and yellow line rules.

The circuit was centred in Hawrelak Park, in the valley created by the North Saskatchewan River. This geographic feature dominated the 13km circuit, with riders climbing out of, and descending back into, the valley three times per lap. None of the climbs were particularly steep, but the cumulative impact of the constant ascents took their toll, especially as the temperature climbed into the high 20s.

The 182km, 14 lap men's race was aggressive from the gun. SpiderTech had the numbers, with 13 riders in the field, but they were going up against some heavy hitters - Svein Tuft and Christian Meier from Garmin-Transitions, Dominique Rollin from the Cervélo Test team, four riders from Kelly Benefit Strategies, led by Zach Bell and David Veilleux, plus Routley, Rob Britton (Bissell) and top sprinter Andrew Pinfold (United Healthcare).

SpiderTech team director Steve Bauer's plan seemed to be two-fold: tag along with any attempt by the danger riders to get away, and gradually put more and more team members up the road, as riders went across to the break. For the most part, they executed well, but just came up against a faster rider in the finish.

The early laps saw multiple efforts attempt to go up the road, but they clearly didn't contain the right mix of riders. One of the most dangerous was late in the second lap, when approximately 25 riders rolled off the front of the field, including Tuft, Bell and others, which the entire peloton scrambled to shut down.

On the third lap, the beginnings of what be the crucial move took place, with eight riders going clear - Ed Veal (La Bicicletta Elite Team), Jean-Michel Lachance and Andre Tremblay (Nativo-PG-Devinci), Bruno Langlois, Mark Batty and Randell (all SpiderTech p/b Planet Energy), Derrick St. John (Garneau Chaussures-Ogilvy Renault) and Spencer Smitheman (Hagens Berman LLP).

By the beginning of lap five, the group was two minutes clear, and Routley decided it was time to bridge across, along with Equipe Quebec's William Goodfellow and Kelly Benefit's David Veilleux. Routley went across quickly, but Veilleux was left dangling in no-man's land for a couple of laps before finally joining the leaders.

Following this expansion of the leaders, yet another group began to chase and, powered by Britten, the group of five swelled the ranks of the leaders to 16. The vastly diminshed peloton finally began to chase in earnest on the tenth lap, pulling the leaders back to just over a minute up as Tuft, Meier and others went to the front. However, once the pros stopped setting the tempo the gap began to grow again.

"We were at the point where we tried to give it a final few digs," explained Tuft. "But Christian and I, even if we could have pulled it back, probably wouldn't have had anything left. That sort of thing would only work if everyone was committed, and there were too many guys hanging on."

As the gap had dropped, more small groups jumped across to the leaders, including François Parisien, Eric and David Boily (all SpiderTech), Trevor Connor (Chris Cookies/Swan Cycles), Michael Joannisse (Equipe Quebec), Ryan Aitcheson (Team Ontario), Arnaud Papillon (Equipe Quebec), Cody Campbell (Trek-Livestrong), Aaron Schooler (H&R Block), Jesse Reams (Cycling BC) and Nic Hamilton (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes).

The front group was now a peloton in its own right, and as the race entered its final three laps, it began to disintegrate under attacks. A front group of eight formed, containing Routley, Randell, Langlois, Veilleux, Britton, Jean Sebastien Perron (Garneau Chaussures-Ogilvy Renault) and Jean-Michel Lachance (Nativo-PG-Devinci).

Randell took adavantage of a momentary lull in the action shortly after the race began the final two laps to make his own solo attack, and caught the group off guard, taking a 30-second lead quickly over the first climb. Routley was the only one to respond, and managed to make his way up to his rival as they started the last climb of lap 13.

"He [Randell] had a good gap, he was riding well; he was riding well all day," commented Routley. "Guys were looking at each other, and I just saw a good opportunity and went across on the second climb. The two of us rolled pretty good and held onto that 30 seconds."

Into the final lap the pair was holding a 35-second lead on the six remaining riders in the chase, while the rest of the group was over a minute back, and the Tuft/Rollin peloton had completely given up (eventually rolling in nine minutes down).

Over the first two climbs the duo worked together, taking turns setting the tempo on the climbs. However, on the final climb Routley jumped, gaining a few metres before Randell managed to rejoin him on the descent.

"I figured on that final climb it might be the time to have a try and I attacked, but he was really strong and didn't have much trouble catching up to me," said Routley.

Behind, the chase had gotten more organised, and was starting to reel them in, bringing Randell's team mate Bruno Langlois potentially back into the picture. Routley was forced to lead down the final descent and across the bridge over the North Saskatchewan River towards the finish in Hawerlak Park, while Randell sat on, waiting for the arrival of his team mate.

Fortunately for Routley, this put him in the lead at the narrow entrance to the Park, and he led out the final 200 metres to take the title ahead of Randell, with Langlois winning the sprint for third. Arnaud Paillon, the only U23 rider in the group, took the Under 23 title.

Andrew Randell, after being out in the break all day, to lose the national title by half a bike length, summed up his feelings in one succinct four letter word, and then elaborated: "Will rode a great race, and when it came down to the sprint I messed up, I really should have gone earlier. I should have jumped, I hesitated, and that's how it goes."

Steve Bauer commented: "We made three big mistakes out there today, we let Will Routley go across [to the break] without one of our guys, we let David Veilleux go across on his own and we let Rob Britton do it without a SpiderTech rider. We can't be doing that sort of thing with dangerous guys like that."

Will Routley couldn't keep the smile off his face, as he contemplated his victory. "Andrew was just sitting on, on the [final] descent and across the bridge, so I had to keep going. I tried to go hard enough to maintain the gap and go for the win, but as easy as possible to save something for the sprint. I felt pretty confident coming into [the sprint] that I had some sprinting legs in me.

"This means a lot, it's probably the best result I've ever had. Ever since junior mountain bike days I've thought I had a shot at nationals. I've been on the podium before, but never managed to do it... junior mountain bike, espoir mountain bike, then I switched to the road as an espoir... I've been trying for a long time, it's been 10 years of trying."

Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Will Routley (Can) Jelly Belly cycling team p/b Kenda4:20:16
2Andrew Randell (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 1 - Cell 2
3Bruno Langlois (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy0:00:11
4David Veilleux (Can) Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 3 - Cell 2
5Rob Britton (Can) BISSELL Pro CyclingRow 4 - Cell 2
6Jean Sebastien Perron (Can) Garneau-Club Chaussures-Ogilvy RenaultRow 5 - Cell 2
7Jean-Michel Lachance (Can) Nativo-PG-DevinciRow 6 - Cell 2
8Arnaud Papillon (Can) Team QuebecRow 7 - Cell 2
9Jesse Reams (Can) Cycling BC0:01:22
10David Boily (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 9 - Cell 2
11Mike Sidic (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 10 - Cell 2
12Derrick St. John (Can) Garneau-Club Chaussures-Ogilvy RenaultRow 11 - Cell 2
13Michael Joannisse (Can) Team QuebecRow 12 - Cell 2
14Spencer Smitheman (Can) Hagens Berman LLPRow 13 - Cell 2
15Ryan Aitcheson (Can) Team OntarioRow 14 - Cell 2
16Nic Hamilton (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic HomesRow 15 - Cell 2
17William Goodfellow (Can) BikeReg.com/CannondaleRow 16 - Cell 2
18Marcel Aarden (Can) Total Restoration Cycling TeamRow 17 - Cell 2
19Charles Bryer (Can) Mazur Coaching/Wheels of BloorRow 18 - Cell 2
20Andre Tremblay (Can) Nativo-PG-DevinciRow 19 - Cell 2
21Mark Batty (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 20 - Cell 2
22Trevor Connor (Can) Chris Cookies/Swan Cycles0:01:28
23Éric Boily (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy0:01:45
24François Parisien (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy0:01:49
25Aaron Schooler (Can) Team H&R BLOCK0:02:22
26Cyrus Kangarloo (Can) Total Restoration Cycling Team0:06:11
27Vincent Quirion (Can) Team QuebecRow 26 - Cell 2
28Sebastian Salas (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 27 - Cell 2
29Jordan Cheyne (Can) Mazur Coaching/Wheels of BloorRow 28 - Cell 2
30Scott Manktelow (Can) Rundle Mountain Cycling Club0:08:19
31Shawn Bunnin (Can) Total Restoration Cycling Team0:08:45
32Jason Thompson (Can) Garneau Evolution0:08:56
33Maxime Joly-Smith (Can) Rocky Mountain/CIBC Wood Gundy0:09:03
34Geoff O'Toole (Can) Garneau EvolutionRow 33 - Cell 2
35Shawn Goulet (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 34 - Cell 2
36Jamie Riggs (Can) Team OntarioRow 35 - Cell 2
37Dustin Andrews (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 36 - Cell 2
38Lachlan Holmes (Can) Speed TheoryRow 37 - Cell 2
39Marvin Isaza Guzman (Can) IndependentRow 38 - Cell 2
40Evan Mundy (Can) Team OntarioRow 39 - Cell 2
41Trevor Gunderson (Can) Pedalhead Road WorksRow 40 - Cell 2
42John Stewart (Can) Mazur Coaching/Wheels of BloorRow 41 - Cell 2
43Pierrick Naud (Can) Team QuebecRow 42 - Cell 2
44Josh Gillingham (Can) Nova Cycle Sports Foundation Inc/ISCorp CyclingRow 43 - Cell 2
45Cuylar Conly (Can) Team SaskatchewanRow 44 - Cell 2
46Devon Novakowski (Can) Team OntarioRow 45 - Cell 2
47Kyle Fry (Can) Peterborough Cycling ClubRow 46 - Cell 2
48Bradley Clifford (Can) Team SaskatchewanRow 47 - Cell 2
49Kevin Massicotte (Can) Team OntarioRow 48 - Cell 2
50Tim Abercrombie (Can) Garneau EvolutionRow 49 - Cell 2
51Warren MacDonald (Can) Nine2FivePro.comRow 50 - Cell 2
52Andrew Pinfold (Can) United Health Care p/b MaxxisRow 51 - Cell 2
53Colin Reinholt (Can) La Bicicletta Elite TeamRow 52 - Cell 2
54Martin Gilbert (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 53 - Cell 2
55Curtis Deardon (Can) Garneau EvolutionRow 54 - Cell 2
56Charles Dionne (Can) FLY V AustraliaRow 55 - Cell 2
57Tyler Trace (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic HomesRow 56 - Cell 2
58Christian Meier (Can) Garmin-TransitionsRow 57 - Cell 2
58Svein Tuft (Can) Garmin-TransitionsRow 58 - Cell 2
60Ryan Anderson (Can) Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 59 - Cell 2
61Keir Plaice (Can) Team OntarioRow 60 - Cell 2
62Nathan MacDonald (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic HomesRow 61 - Cell 2
63Owen Harrison (Can) Cycling BCRow 62 - Cell 2
64Matteo Dal-Cin (Can) Team OntarioRow 63 - Cell 2
64Zachary Bell (Can) Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 64 - Cell 2
66Hugo Houle (Can) Team QuebecRow 65 - Cell 2
67Guillaume Boivin (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 66 - Cell 2
68Keith Jones (Can) Cycling BCRow 67 - Cell 2
69Jean Francois Racine (Can) Garneau-Club Chaussures-Ogilvy RenaultRow 68 - Cell 2
70Simon Lambert-Lemay (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 69 - Cell 2
71Garrett McLeod (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 70 - Cell 2
72Dominique Rollin (Can) Cervelo Test TeamRow 71 - Cell 2
73Christopher Hillier (Can) Colavita Racing IncRow 72 - Cell 2
74Charly Vives (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet EnergyRow 73 - Cell 2
75Chris McGarity (Can) Team SaskatchewanRow 74 - Cell 2
76Nicholas Jendzjowsky (Can) Pedalhead Road WorksRow 75 - Cell 2
77Dylan Sebel (Can) Team CoastalRow 76 - Cell 2
78Jeff Barnes (Can) Mercy/SpecializedRow 77 - Cell 2
79Ryan Roth (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy0:09:12
80Keven Lacombe (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy0:09:16
81Robin Baillie (Can) Team H&R BLOCK0:10:00
82Justin Steeds (Can) Mazur Coaching/Wheels of Bloor0:11:31
83Shaun Adamson (Can) Scott Racing p/b The Cyclery0:11:53
DNFMarsh Cooper (Can) Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 83 - Cell 2
DNFEd Veal (Can) La Bicicletta Elite TeamRow 84 - Cell 2
DNFMatthew O'Hagan (Can) Garneau EvolutionRow 85 - Cell 2
DNFDave Vukets (Can) Hennebont CyclismeRow 86 - Cell 2
DNFShane Savage (Can) Mighty CyclingRow 87 - Cell 2
DNFClayton Meisner (Can) OlympiaRow 88 - Cell 2
DNFRoddi Lega (Can) PedalheadRow 89 - Cell 2
DNFMichael Stickland (Can) Pedalhead Road WorksRow 90 - Cell 2
DNFSean Barr (Can) Pedalhead Road WorksRow 91 - Cell 2
DNFRobert Simpson (Can) Pedalhead Road WorksRow 92 - Cell 2
DNFTrev Williams (Can) Speed TheoryRow 93 - Cell 2
DNFPaul Berry (Can) SpokeRow 94 - Cell 2
DNFMark MacDonald (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 95 - Cell 2
DNFChris McNeil (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 96 - Cell 2
DNFChristiaan deVries (Can) Total Restoration Cycling TeamRow 97 - Cell 2
DNFDan Skinner (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic HomesRow 98 - Cell 2
DNFAdam Thuss (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic HomesRow 99 - Cell 2
DNFGordon Jewett (Can) Rundle Mountain Cycling ClubRow 100 - Cell 2
DNFZane Westerbeek (Can) CMC/Bow CycleRow 101 - Cell 2
DNFRyan Correy (Can) CMC/Bow CycleRow 102 - Cell 2
DNFBrian Robinson (Can) CMC/Bow CycleRow 103 - Cell 2
DNFGraham Rudge (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 104 - Cell 2
DNFDan Wood (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 105 - Cell 2
DNFCameron McKnight (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 106 - Cell 2
DNFKyle Anderson (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 107 - Cell 2
DNFJonathan Wood (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 108 - Cell 2
DNFAndrew Cullingham (Can) Synergy RacingRow 109 - Cell 2
DNFMark McConnell (Can) Synergy RacingRow 110 - Cell 2
DNFBailey McKnight (Can) Synergy RacingRow 111 - Cell 2
DNFJacob Schwingboth (Can) Team H&R BLOCKRow 112 - Cell 2
DNFBrody Pasciullo (Can) Thunder Bay Cycling ClubRow 113 - Cell 2
DNFBoris Martin (Can) Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic HomesRow 114 - Cell 2
DNFCody Campbell (Can) Trek-Livestrong U23Row 115 - Cell 2
DNFSam Loud (Can) Westwood Cycle Cannondale p/b Vision SportsRow 116 - Cell 2
DNFDavid Gonda (Can) CMC/Bow CycleRow 117 - Cell 2
DNFNicolas Andrichuk (Can) CMC/Bow CycleRow 118 - Cell 2
DNFMike Rothengatter (Can) Cycling BCRow 119 - Cell 2
DNFColter Young (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 120 - Cell 2
DNFJustin Middleton (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 121 - Cell 2
DNFCody Canning (Can) ERTC/Revolution CycleRow 122 - Cell 2
DNFSebastian Jozwiak (Can) LifesportRow 123 - Cell 2
DNFTimothy Burton (Can) mbrc.org-gearsRow 124 - Cell 2
DNFSimon Gagnon-Brassard (Can) Nativo-PG-DevinciRow 125 - Cell 2
DNFWilliam Blackburn (Can) Rio Tinto-Martin SwissRow 126 - Cell 2
DNSJamie Sparling (Can) Total Restoration Cycling TeamRow 127 - Cell 2
DNSShawn Taylor (Can) Cafe RacersRow 128 - Cell 2
DNSStephen Ferris (Can) Calgary Cycle p/b Top GearRow 129 - Cell 2

 

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