Whitehorse Daily Star

Bell finishes just off the podium at road nationals

Just one day after lamenting his form,

By Whitehorse Star on June 29, 2015

Just one day after lamenting his form, Watson Lake cyclist Zach Bell finished just off the podium at the national road championships.

The 32-year-old was fourth across the finish line in Saint-Georges, Que., Saturday in the elite men’s road race, held as part of the 2015 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships.

Quebec rider Guillaume Boivin of Team Optum-Kelly Benefits Strategies earned the national title with a time of 4:34:00.

Bell, who was in the lead peloton, finished with the same time as Boivin, but was the fourth to cross the line, also behind Alberta’s Ryan Anderson and Ontario’s Ryan Roth.

The near photo finish came at the end of a challenging 186.2-kilometre course.

Twelve riders went all out at the finish line in an attempt to earn the coveted red-and-white jersey.

Boivin eventually won by slightly more than a bike length.

Bell previously took the honours in 2013.

“Well, I had another look at the national champs jersey today and just came up short,” Bell posted on his Facebook page Saturday.

“It was a fight all day for all teams. Congrats to Optum. They rode a great tactical race and earned the win with strong teamwork and strong efforts from all their guys.

“Always a fun race with good guys.”

Bell was one of three members of Team SmartStop to participate in the national championships.

A total of 123 cyclists started the race, with only 50 finishing.

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