麻豆社区

Watson Lake-born cyclist Zach Bell was unsuccessful in his attempt to defend his Canadian road championship last weekend.

In his first race since breaking his collarbone in May, the 31-year-old was unable to keep pace with eventual winner Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., who held on to a solo breakaway for 120 kilometres in Lac-M茅gantic, Que.

A group of 129 cyclists started the 179-km race in downtown Lac-M茅gantic Saturday. A moment of silence was held prior to the race to remember the suffering caused by a train derailment that ravaged the downtown core last year.

While Tuft made his move on the second lap of the 15-km circuit, Bell dropped from the main group in the fifth of nine climbs. Tuft eventually crossed the finish line in 4:27:51 while Bell, his former teammate with SpiderTech, did not finish.

In total, just 39 riders completed the gruelling race.

Bell was the reigning champion in the men鈥檚 elite category after claiming his first national road title last year.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Bell thanked his fans for their support during his year in the red-and-white national champions jersey.

鈥淚t has been a privilege,鈥濃�圔ell stated. 鈥淚 fought hard to try and keep it, but with recent events I just didn鈥檛 have it ... With the way Svein was riding, I am not sure better form would have helped.

鈥淣ow I will be in the same costume as my teammates again,鈥� he added. 鈥淲hich is appropriate because we have all our success as a team and I want to represent those colours with pride.鈥�

In 2013, Bell eked out victory in the road championships, held in St. Georges, Que. The Canadian Olympian won via a photo finish.

Later this month, Bell will compete at the XX鈥圕ommonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.

Watson Lake wrestler Brittanee Laverdure will also compete.