BC Superweek: UBC Grand Prix

On Tuesday evening, North Vancouver’s Ryan Anderson (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) finally found the BC Superweek win he’s been looking for following three podiums in three events of the Tour de Delta. Anderson out hauled two Germans, Florenz Knauer (Team Baier Landshut) and Michael Schweizer, the only representative of his team, NSP Ghost-Team Germany, to take the victory.

Anderson praised his American teammate Ken Hanson’s work to shut down riders behind them throughout the 50 laps. Hanson was the champion of Saturday’s Brenco Crit in Ladner. Canadian road champion Zach Bell of Champion System ignited affairs by going out on a solo attack over the first three 1-km, six-corner laps on the UBC campus.

Leah Kirchmann (Optum) took her second win on the trot as she stayed ahead of Australian Lauretta Hanson and the omnium winner of the Tour de Delta, Vanderkitten’s Elle Anderson (USA). Kirchmann also triumphed in Sunday’s final event of the Tour de Delta, the White Spot Delta Road Race.

London Olympic Games bronze medallist Specialized-lululemon) provided a gasp-inducing moment on the final lap when she over cooked a corner and hit the hay bales, escaping with minor injuries.

The hot crit action continues Wednesday in downtown Vancouver with the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix.