7 Canadians secure roster spots on Rally UHC men’s team for 2020

Rally UHC is keeping its commitment to American and Canadian riders heading into the 2020 season. Seven Canadians, six of whom return to the roster from 2019, remain with the squad that substantially increased its European program this past season. In addition, the team counts nine Americans on its all North American squad.

The team announced it’s third and final addition for 2020 with American WorldTour veteran Nate Brown replacing Canadian Svein Tuft as the road captain. The 28-year-old American is expected to have ambitions on the road beyond his leadership role after spending six years on the WorldTour with EF Education First Pro Cycling.

Brown joins American Stephen Bassett and U23 Canadian champion Nick Zukowsky as the new additions for 2020. Zukowsky is coming off a career year having won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay, finished third at the Tour de Beauce and Tour of the Gila. He recently represented Canada at the world championships finishing 26th in the U23 road race in Yorkshire.

The team retains the services of Canadian champion Adam de Vos of Victoria who had strong rides at the GP Quebec and Montreal along with an awesome 16th place after a late attack at the Grand Prix de Wallonie. Nigel Ellsay and Pier-André Coté also stay with the team along with 2017 Tour of Utah winner Rob Britton, Matteo Dal-Cin and Ryan Anderson.

Rally UHC graduated one rider to the WorldTour with Brandon McNulty set to join Team UAE in 2020. Tuft and Evan Huffman retired at the end of the season.

Explaining his ambitions with Rally UHC, Brown said, “My biggest goal for next year is to win a race. It’s been years since I’ve raised my hands for a win and I’m really motivated. I see the team as a fresh start with lots of opportunities and I feel that I still haven’t reached my full potential.”

The team will gather in November for a team-building camp in Sedona, Arizona before the team launch in Minneapolis in December. The roster for the women’s team has not yet been announced. Earlier this year, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist in the women’s team pursuit, Kirsti Lay announced her retirement from professional cycling after giving birth to a son. Other Canadians on the roster include Gillian Ellsay who represented Canada at the Yorkshire worlds, Allison Beveridge who will also be gearing up for the Olympics on the boards, Sara Bergen, Katherine Maine and Sara Poidevin who was 42nd in the women’s road race in Yorkshire.

2020 Rally UHC men’s roster

Ryan Anderson – Spruce Grove, Alta.
Stephen Bassett
Rob Britton – Regina
Nate Brown
Robin Carpenter
Pier-André Coté – Gaspé, Que.
Matteo Dal-Cin – Ottawa
Adam de Vos – Victoria
Nigel Ellsay – Courtney, B.C.
Colin Joyce
Ty Magner
Gavin Mannion
John Murphy
Kyle Murphy
Emerson Oronte
Nikolas Zukowsky – Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides, Que.