It didn’t take long for Ottawa’s Carter Deveer to make an impression with his new Cannibal – Victorious U19 Development Team. The 16-year-old rider took his first win of the year at the Weg Motion Drives Classic p/b Atkom Koerst in Belgium.
“It was an interclub race. Kind of in between levels,” Deveer said “It’s higher than a kermesse, but not quite a UCI race. But the competition was still quite high.”
The team–which is the junior feeder team for the WorldTour squad, Bahrain Victorious began the race with a flexible strategy. “We had plans for different scenarios,” he said. “If it came down to a sprint, we had a lead-out organized. But I’m not much of a sprinter, so I was hoping to get into a breakaway.”
Fast and furious start
The opening laps were aggressive and chaotic, according to the multiple national champion. “Everyone was really stressed… attacks, attacks, attacks,” he recalled. Early break attempts were repeatedly shut down before anything could stick.
The decisive move came later in the race, on the course’s main climb with around 50 km left.
“There was a little surge, then it slowed. I saw the opportunity,” Deveer said. “I looked back and had a teammate on my wheel, so I went for it.”
At the top of the climb, the move had split the race to just three riders—Deveer, a teammate, Matas Kubilius and Ido Dagan (Crabbé-Dstny U19.)
With around 25 km to go, Deveer made the race-winning move. “I attacked from the group of three to force the other guy to chase—and it worked really well. He was completely blown.”
Kubilius bridged back up, and from there the pair committed fully to the finish.
“We were just pulling all out until the finish,” Deveer said. “Then we decided to go arm-in-arm to the line.”
Happy to ride for the win
Deveer was happy with the way things worked out, and hopes the early season result is a sign of more to come. “This was my third race of the season—and the first time I actually got to use my legs for myself.”
His previous races had been more about team roles and setbacks.
In one, he worked to control late attacks for a team sprinter, who ultimately finished fifth. In another, a mechanical issue early in a cobbled sector forced a bike change and a long chase. “I had to chase for like 20 minutes, and my legs were pretty dead after that,” he said.
The multi-disciplined cyclist is enjoying life with the new team. “It’s a really good mix between having fun…
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