Slagter wins second Tour of Alberta stage, Mollema hangs onto overall lead

JASPER, Alta. – Tom-Jelte Slagter of the Netherlands won his second Tour of Alberta stage in as many days Saturday, but countryman Bauke Mollema retained the overall lead in the six-day stage race.

Slagter made his move over the final metres of the 162-kilometre leg that finished atop Marmot Basin near Jasper, Alta.

The 26-year-old Cannondale-Garmin rider broke away from Mollema and Britain’s Adam Yates and powered to the finish line at the ski resort to win his second straight stage.

Mollema of Trek Factory Racing held onto a six-second lead over Yates of Orica-GreedEdge Cycling in the overall classification with two stages remaining in the 900k race. Slagter was 22 seconds back in third.

Ottawa’s Mike Woods was the fastest Canadian on Saturday finishing 27 seconds back of Slagter in 10th. The Optum Pro Cycling rider was ninth overall at one minute 22 seconds behind Slagter.

Sunday’s fifth stage from Edson to Spruce Grove is the longest in the three-year history of the Tour of Alberta at 206 kilometres and features several sections of dirt road.

Monday’s finale in Edmonton is 124 kilometres in and around the Alberta capital.

Unlike the previous day’s cold and wet ride into Jasper National Park, the 120 riders had partial sun and temperatures of 14 degrees Saturday. The leg finished with 12 kilometres of hard climbing, however.