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Karol-Ann Canuel is the elite women’s road race champion of Canada

Storm lashes race finale

Karol-Ann Canuel added her first Canadian elite women’s road race title to two time trial titles in Saint-Georges, QC on Saturday. Canuel attacked late into a biblical storm to earn the victory.

The Route
The elite and U23 women faced 108.5-km including three laps of the hilly Saint-Odilon circuit in the middle of the route. It was the same course used in 2014 and 2015, and one similar to Stage 1 of the Tour de Beauce.

Could Leah Kirchmann double up on time trial and road titles like she did in 2014? Kirchmann would have to deal with several Rally riders.


Small Breakaways

Cyclocross national champ Maghalie Rochette (Specialized) and Marie-Soleil Blais (Astana), who was third in Friday’s time trial, formed a breakaway duo heading into the first lap. But their lead was slim and they would succumb to the will of the peloton before the second lap.

A split in the bunch going into Lap 2 led to Kinley Gibson skipping up the road. Gibson’s lead was 2:30 as she crested the Saint-Odilon circuit’s climb. From the peloton, Alison “Action” Jackson and Anna Gabrielle Traxler lit out in pursuit. Sara Poidevin pulled for Rally in the bunch.

The Conclusion

With the Jackson-Traxler chase back in the bunch, Gibson turned towards Saint-Georges with 30 km to go and a minute’s lead. Rally still had numbers.

Gibson’s gap didn’t survive and after she was reeled in a group of 14 including Kirchmann, Blais, Jackson, Traxler and Rochette flashed away in the pouring rain. Saint-Georges was just over the horizon.

As if huddling together to stay warm, the bunch reformed. Canuel attacked into the storm with only a few kilometres remaining. Rally leaned into the chase.

Canuel would hang on for the triumph. Kirchmann powered to silver and Arianne Bonhomme rounded out the podium.

Canuel receives congratulations from Alison Jackson and other riders.

The U23 champion was Olivia Barril, who came in ninth overall.

2019 Canadian National Elite Women’s Road Championship
1) Karol-Ann Canuel (Boels-Dolmans)
2) Leah Kirchmann (Sunweb)
3) Arianne Bonhomme (Cyclery)