Anderson takes the lead as Tour of Alberta’s best Canadian rider

Ryan Anderson (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) placed 7th during the third stage of the Tour of Alberta and is now leading the best Canadian rider competition heading into the final two stages.

“It’s nice to wear this jersey, especially being from Alberta originally, but I still want to get a podium,” Anderson said. “We’re still hungry going forward.”

He was involved in an 18-rider breakaway during the 169.8-km stage from Strathmore to Drumheller on Friday. Late in the race, six riders broke off the front of that move including stage winner and current overall race leader Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp), runner-up Brent Bookwalter (BMC) and Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) who placed third on the day.

Anderson won the chase-group sprint for 7th place and moved up into 8th place overall.  His fellow countryman and under 23 time trial champion Alexander Cataford (Garneau-Québecor) was also in the large breakaway and placed 18th in the stage. He is now sitting in 17th place overall and 2nd in the best Canadian rider competition.

“I was pretty close to making that first group, but I just wasn’t good enough today,” Anderson said. “After the last king of the mountain climb, the wind changed a few times. We tried to work together to bring back the lead group.”

Anderson recently secured two podium finishes at the USA Pro Challenge held in Aug. in Colorado. He placed 4th in the Tour of Alberta’s first stage and 11th the second stage.

“This year has been really good,” he said. “I’ve only been racing in North America, but every UCI race I’ve done, I’ve done really well.”

Anderson competed for the now disbanded SpiderTech powered by C10 team for two seasons before signing with the Optum squad in June. He has not resigned with the team yet.

“I wouldn’t say I’m hunting [for a new team] but I am not signed with Optum for next season,” Anderson said. “I’m just trying to race well.”