August 7/17 11:47 am - Britton Claims Biggest Win of Career with Utah Title

Posted by Editoress on 08/7/17
 

Canadian Rob Britton of Rally Cycling successfully fended off all challengers to earn the top prize at the 2017 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah on Sunday. In his third Tour of Utah appearance, Britton claimed the biggest victory of his career, taking the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies Overall Leader title. The week-long UCI stage race, which began July 31st in Logan, concluded with Stage 7 presented by Utah Sports Commission in downtown Salt Lake City.

Stage photo gallery

Fan Favourite: Pier-Andre Cote (Silber Pro Cycling)

Stage photo gallery

"This year has been phenomenal. I think we've had success at just about every race we've gone to. Personally, I've knocked on the door for a long, long time and [been] passed over for a few things, so this is pretty sweet," said Britton, who placed fifth overall at the 2016 Tour of Utah. "It means a lot to me. I was really grateful to have such a fantastic team around me, because without them I wouldn't be where I am."

"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."

"Rob is one of the hardest working guys on the team," said Rally team mate 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."

"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."

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.  Next year, the team is scheduled to move up to the Pro Continental ranks.

A fast and furious circuit race beside the Utah State Capitol saw Nippo-Vini Fantini's Marco Canola power away to a convincing win on Stage 7. Canola flew up the final climb on State Street to cross the line in a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Americans Brent Bookwalter of BMC Racing and Gavin Mannion of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team lead the field across the line two seconds later, taking second and third respectively on the stage. Britton finished sixth on the stage.

Aggressive racing was at the forefront on the 73-mile stage which saw numerous teams and riders attack in a last gasp for glory. Breakaways formed and re-formed at the front while the Rally Cycling team remained in complete control of the peloton. A flurry of attacks marked the last of the 11 laps but the decimated field was back together in the final kilometre to battle for the top step of the podium.

The 13th edition of the Tour of Utah, known as "America's Toughest Stage Race," included 605 miles of racing and 36,525 feet of elevation gain. Over the course of seven days of hard racing, three different riders wore the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies Overall Leader jersey, until Britton blazed into the lead on the individual time trial on Wednesday and gained a firm grasp on the jersey. Of the 126 professional cyclists that began the week in Logan, 100 completed the stage race in Salt Lake City.

UHC's Mannion finished second in the G.C., 22 seconds behind the overall leader. Serghei Tvetcov (ROM) of Jelly Belly Cycling presented by Maxxis was third, 32 seconds down. Placing fourth overall was Under-23 U.S. Road Race national champion Neilson Powless of Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team.

"This race was definitely a race won with strong legs because the climbs are long and tough. A bit stronger is a way to win the race. I think the strongest guy here won," said Powless, who took over the WCF Insurance Best Young Rider jersey on Stage 2 and never let go.

Finishing seventh on the stage, Travis McCabe (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team successfully defended the Utah Sports Commission Sprint jersey. "Once I was in the break, I went for the sprint points and I still tried to go for it in the sprint, but it was pretty evident that I spent too much energy up there (in the break). I lost Marco's (Canola) wheel in the last 500 meters, and I couldn't do much after that. I'm just happy that I was able to hold on to the Sprint Jersey."

Jacob Rathe (USA) of Jelly Belly Cycling presented by Maxxis defended the Utah Office of Tourism King of the Mountain Leader jersey over the full seven days of racing. "It was a goal of the team, and personally I knew that I could get it for a day or two. We saw that there were two climb-heavy stages to start the race. I got in the break and the climbs suited me. I kept expecting to come across the line and have it gone, but twice I held on to it by one point."

Active in the break and attacking non-stop in the final laps, Manuel Senni of BMC Racing Team was awarded the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Most Aggressive Rider jersey. His BMC Racing Team won the best overall team classification. Fans selected Canada's Pier-André Côté of Silber Pro Cycling as the America First Credit Union Fan Favorite, in the Best Overall category.

"Congratulations to all the riders in America's Toughest Stage Race and our worthy champion," said Tour of Utah Executive Director Jenn Andrs. "Whether you were following the race on television or cheering at the finish line, we hope everyone enjoyed this showcase of the state of Utah and the sport of cycling. Pending final UCI approval, the tentative race dates for the 2018 Tour of Utah will be pushed back a week to August 6-12. We look forward to our 14th year of racing in 2018."

Final Jerseys (stage and overall)
Leader: Rob Britton (Rally Cycling)
Sprinter: Travis McCabe (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
KoM: Jacob Rathe (Jelly Belly-Maxxis)
Best Young Rider: Neilson Powless (Axeon Hagens Berman)
Most Aggressive: Manuel Senni (BMC Racing Team)
Fan Favourite: Pier-Andre Cote (Silber Pro Cycling)
Top Team: BMC Racing Team

Results from the seventh and final stage in Utah