Canadian cyclists eye victory in Alberta

EDMONTON — Matteo Dal-Cin’s first race since he was crowned Canada’s road cycling champion will be on home pavement.

The 26-year-old from Ottawa will wear the Maple Leaf when the Tour of Alberta stage race opens today in Jasper.

“I haven’t got to actually race in it yet,” Dal-Cin said. “I don’t really know what it’s like to race in it. I’m looking forward to seeing what that feels like and representing my country in the Maple Leaf.”

Dal-Cin, who races professionally for U.S.-based Rally Cycling, outsprinted Marc-Antoine Soucy in his hometown to claim the Canadian men’s title in June.

The six-foot-five, 170-pound Dal-Cin didn’t compete in the recent Tour of Utah because of injury. But his Rally teammate Rob Britton of Regina claimed the overall victory in Utah and is one to watch in Alberta.

The Tour of Alberta has contracted a second straight year from five days to four. The event lasted six days its first three years with a prologue followed by five stages.

While announcing a multiyear sponsorship with ATB Financial earlier this year, Alberta Peleton Association chairman Peter Verhesen said a more compact race takes pressure off host communities while the province’s economy is still recovering.

At 546 kilometres — down from 865 kms two years ago — this year’s tour has drawn 88 riders from 15 countries riding for 11 pro teams, according to organizers.

The Tour of Alberta retains its Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) classification of 2.1, which is the third tier of stage racing behind Grand Tours such as the Tour de France and the second tier that includes the seven-day Tour of Utah.

Alberta’s race opens with a 165-kilometre mountain stage from Jasper to Marmot Basin ski resort.