News: Ali Slater claims first UCI stage win

Ali Slater (JLT Condor) launched a winning solo attack on the final day of the prestigious Kreiz Breizh Elites (UCI 2.2) in France whilst Connor Swift (Madison Genesis) finished second overall

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News: Ali Slater claims first UCI stage win

A JLT Condor Press Release

Photo: Kreiz Breizh Elites

Ali Slater launched a winning solo attack on the final day of the prestigious Kreiz Breizh Elites (UCI 2.2) in France. His brave move came after nearly 170 kilometres of racing on the fourth stage. Team manager, John Herety described Slater victory as showing “exceptional tactical nouse”.

The victory is even sweeter for Ali Slater whose role as super-domestique often sees him leading his teammates to victory. Earlier this season, Slater narrowly missed out on a stage win at the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire, when he finished second on the opening stage of the race. The team took part in the race as part of their 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain race preparations. Several other teams from Britain were also in attendance at Kreiz Breizh Elites including One Pro Cycling, Madison Genesis and Team Wiggins.

How the stage unfolded
The peloton wasted little time in getting going with a strong pace being set by French team St Michel – Auber93, who were defending the lead of Damien Touze in the overall competition. Eventually, a breakaway escaped, containing Tom Stewart and the group gained a maximum of three minutes and forty-second advantage over the peloton.
The peloton began to chase the break and the pace split the field. Eventually, the breakaway group were reeled in with 10km and almost immediately a flurry of attacks ensued eventually forming a dangerous eight-rider move containing Tom Moses.

The break looked as though it would just make it to the finish without being caught by the peloton. At 5km to go sensing a lull in pace, Ali Slater attacked from the bunch to ride across to his teammate Tom Moses. Slater reached Moses with three kilometres to go to the finish. Slater launched his attack at 1km to go and never looked back, sailing over the line solo to claim his first UCI level victory. “Ali is very emotional, we are all extremely happy for him. He is one of the hardest working guys in the team and he took the win today through sheer determination and strength”, explained John Herety.

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The team will travel back to Britain to take part in final two races of the HSBC Grand Prix Series in Leicester (12th August) and Ryedale (26th August) before announcing the squad selected for the 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

Success too for Madison Genesis

Connor Swift secured second at the Kreiz Breizh Elites after four intense days of racing. Swift began the fourth and final stage on the same time as the leader and faced a day of uncertainty as he raced for the win. With the help of his teammates, Swift set about trying to take the top spot. Racing was aggressive from the start and at one stage all of the favourites were in a move off the front.

However, normal service resumed and after 20km a safe breakaway was established. Leaving nothing to chance, the peloton made the catch with 40km remaining and set about racing for the win. Again, Swift was on the offensive, but ultimately it would come down to an uphill sprint into Rostrenen. After gaining his advantage on stage one, it took until the final moment of the fourth stage to decide the race.

Finishing 12th, Swift was on the wheel of his chief rival as they crossed the line to retain second overall – a result testament to individual excellence and dedicated teamwork throughout the four stages.

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