Stage win for Lapthorne in Canada

Rapha Condor’s Darren Lapthorne took a solo victory in the second stage of the Tour de Beauce in Canada.

The former Australian road champion, now living in Bristol, had no problems adjusting to the wet conditions on the 161km stage to Thetford Mines.

Lapthorne broke away early in the day with American Peter Stetina (Felt-Garmin U23) and Canadian Phil Cortes (Garneau) and dropped both in the final two kilometres to cross the line alone.

The wooden bridges of Quebec may be picturesque but are treacherous when wet, leading to the race being neutralised for five minutes to allow safe passage over one particularly slippery crossing.

Top British rider overall after the mountainous third stage is Rapha Condor’s Tom Southam in 10th as the Colombian national team came to the fore, placing riders in the top two positions.