In yet another thrilling sprint finish, Kendall Ryan (USA) won the White Spot Delta UCI 1.2 Road Race, adding to her victories the past two days of the Tour de Delta presented by Beedie: the North Delta and Ladner Criterium races. The victory secured three straight wins for Ryan at the Tour de Delta and marks a dominant start to BC Superweek, a highlight of the Canadian racing calendar.
“The team was relentless today,” said Ryan. “They showed they were 100% confident in me by shutting down every attack and giving me a full on lead out for the finish. All I had to do was stay safe and save my legs for the end.”
A stream of attacks in the final laps of the race attempted to secure a breakaway, but the team pounced on any move that threatened to separate the field, securing a field sprint for Ryan. Launching from the organized Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank lead-out train, Ryan held a long sprint all the way to the finish, a victory that successfully defended her 2017 title at the White Spot | Delta Road Race.
“It was really an incredible job by the team in controlling the field to ensure the bunch sprint,” said Ed Beamon, Sport Director for Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank. “There were some especially hard hits on that last lap, but the ladies did a spectacular job keeping Kendall in position. And she finished it off with her third victory this weekend.”
At last night’s Ladner Criterium, Ryan proved her sprinting prowess again by winning the final sprint to the line. The 900m course is known for its speed and technical corners, and in the final lap, it was Alison Jackson (CAN) who bridged up to a late attack from Lilly Williams, forcing the field to chase the strong duo. As the field brought the two back, Ryan seized her opportunity and sped around the competition to win the second day of the Tour de Delta, a strong indication for today’s outcome.
