Local cyclist upgrades category despite mixed results in Alberta races

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The mainstay of Fort St. John’s Blizzard Bicycle Club had some varied results in two recent events in Alberta.

Nigel Wray, who sports the colours of Alberta-based Stealth Cycling Club during races in the province, competed in Calgary’s Tour de Bowness and the Juventus Provincial Individual Time Trial Championships in Edmonton on consecutive weekends to start August.

A category three racer, Wray entered the Tour de Bowness, which took place from August 2nd to August 4th, just a few points shy of earning points to up his rating to category one/two.

During the 132-kilometre road race opener, Wray said he was “under-fuelled” throughout, staying back among the leaders to “conserve as much energy as possible.”

Although he managed to keep within striking distance of the leaders, he finished eighth overall with a final time of three hours, 58 minutes and 57 seconds, avoiding a crash in the race’s final 10 kilometres.

“[I] went into this race expecting to get on the podium and possibly winning,” said Wray. “[I am] disappointed with the result, but given the fuel I lost early in the race and not being caught up in the crash, I survived as best I could.”

Although he earned his category one/two points with the result, Wray was less enthusiastic about the following two legs of the event: a 19th-place finish on the hill climb and a 15th-place finish in the lapped criterium race.

Wray said he was “very competitive” throughout the final event, even taking the lead with three laps left.

The Juventus had better results for Wray. With his category upgrade behind him, he said he usually “excels” in time trials, his best event.

Competing among the open category riders for the 30-kilometre race held near Miquelon Lake Provincial Park in Camrose County on August 9th.

Wray ended up in third with a time of 41 minutes and 22 seconds, a result he said he was “pretty pleased” with.

More details about the Blizzard Bicycle Club are available on the group’s website and Facebook page.