Jetfuel-Norco finishes on top at the Niagara Classic

On Sunday, one week after abandoning the rain-and-snow-filled Lake of Bays road race, Anton Varabei (Jetfuel-Norco) won the Niagara Classic solo. After a string of high finishes in almost every race in the Ontario circuit, Jetfuel’s key man finally won an Ontario Cup event.

The race started with an early breakaway of four: Yuri Hrycaj (Jetfuel-Norco), Brandon Spencer (Mt. Borah), Bayden Pritchard (Octto-Cervelo), Zach Hughes (Garneau-Quebecor) and Lake of Bays winner, Andrew House (Coach Chris). The breakaway managed to establish a small lead before Saylor’s Hill began to split the main field. Two teams—Real Deal/Gears and Wheels of Bloor—attempted to keep the race in check by forming a consistent chase. Once they managed to bring part of the break back, the attacks went. Chris Gruber (Wheels of Bloor) launched out of the group with Spencer and Hrycaj still up the road. Varabei followed. This proved to be the deciding move. With a teammate up the road, Varabei was able to save his legs by using his tactical advantage. Once Gruber and Varabei caught Spencer and Hrycaj, Varabei made one last punishing attack for the win. He caught his break-mates by surprise and opened 15-second gap immediately. “From here, as much as my legs didn’t want to do it, I was wired on adrenaline and just focused to push every single pedal stroke to stay away for dear life,” said Varabei.

The cat-and-mouse game that ensued behind Varabei proved costly for Gruber as he finished second ahead of Hrycaj, who rounded out a Jetfuel dominated podium.

After a disappointing weekend at the Lake of Bays road race, the Jetfuel team found redemption. “I really felt like I didn’t have to do much,” Varabei said. “Guys forced early breaks, covered attacks and I just had to put a couple of hard efforts at the right time. Truly a team win.”

[HTML1]