Zach Bell heads to Europe’s North

Canada’s national road champion Zach Bell and his Champion System Pro Cycling teammates will start in the Arctic Race of Norway on Thursday. Hailing from Watson Lake, Yukon, Bell will wear his maple-leaf jersey alongside some of the world’s strongest riders, including former world champion and Tour de France green-jersey winner, Thor Hushovd (BMC Racing). The northern regions of Norway will undoubtedly remind Bell of home. “Having grown up in the North, I am excited to do a race in this area,” said Bell in a Champion System  press release. “After a strong early summer, I am working to build back my form for later in the year. But my fitness is still at a level that will allow me to contribute to some positive performances.”

The four-stage race will cover 705 km. The key challenges that rider will face will be the wind and challenging hills. “The race will be held on some very scenic and windy roads,” said Champion System director sportif Franky Van Haesebroucke. He predicts the race could blow apart during the opening stage and affect the entire race’s GC.

After a solid first half of the season, Bell is looking to build on his two major wins of the season: one at the Tour of Korea in June and his national road championship win in Lac-Mégantic, Que., later that month.