Rory Townsend & Max Stedman were Canyon dhb SunGod’s only starters in the 140km National ‘B’ Totnes Vire Road Race on Sunday 4^th July. The race is named after the Devon town of Totnes on the south-eastern side of Dartmoor, and the French town of Vire in Normandy with which it is twinned. In 2021 the race was based on a hilly 3-lap circuit on the north-western edge of Dartmoor around the Roadford Lake reservoir which included almost 2000 metres of climbing.

The quality field was greeted by heavy rain at the start and remained largely together on the first lap, but began to break apart on the second. Both Townsend & Stedman made the 15-rider break of the day and contributed to the pace keeping this group beyond the grasp of anyone in the remaining peloton and steadily pulling out a lead of three minutes.

1. Max Stedman pushes the pace at the front of the race

Stedman sustained a high pace high over the last 10km discouraging other riders from attacking and providing Townsend with a platform on which to demonstrate his speed and power on the closing uphill sprint. Oliver Hucks (Nopinz Motip) was second and Jack Rootkin-Gray (Team Inspired) third. Job done, Stedman rolled in five seconds down in 14^th place.

2. Rory Townsend crosses the line

Townsend commented:  

‘Nice to take the win down in Devon at the Totnes Vire Road Race. First Nat B for a good while, still the hardest session you can do, especially after a big Training Stress Score™ (TSS) week moving house. My 50 kilo lead-out doing the job again, massive effort from Max Stedman keeping our reduced group together.’

3. A good win for Canyon dhb SunGod

Stedman added:

 ‘About 80km in the race started to break apart, but there was a crash as well which also split the bunch. Rory was in a group of 4 or 5 ahead and I was bridging as the crash started to happen. Rory and I drove it for a bit, then the group started to work well together.’

4. Job Done!

Photo Credits

1, 3 & 4. Nick Phipps Photography (see phippsimages.com for more races & content)

2. Chris Godfrey @runningbydoing

Do you like the new Team Edition Canyon dhb SunGod Sunglasses and would like to help support the team?

SunGod is giving a free capsule case with every pair of Canyon dhb SunGod sunglasses purchased – find out more here. 

Written by Paul and Marina Stedman with rider contribution by Rory Townsend.