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Conn McDunphy (Team Skyline) has secured a remarkable victory in Stage 2 of the Tour de Beauce (2.2) in Canada, marking a significant comeback after a challenging start to his season. The Irish rider dominated the 164km stage, spending over half of it in a breakaway and completing the final 60km solo to win by over a minute. This victory follows his teammate Sean Christian’s win in the opening stage, giving Team Skyline back-to-back triumphs and positioning McDunphy as the new holder of the climbers’ jersey.
McDunphy’s strategy to “create chaos” on the stage was pivotal in his success. With Christian already in the yellow jersey, the team opted not to lead the peloton, instead allowing McDunphy to launch an aggressive move. He joined a breakaway group 70km into the race, but when the gap to the peloton stalled at two minutes, he surged ahead solo with 60km remaining. At one point, his lead ballooned to five minutes, making him the virtual race leader, though he ultimately finished 1:17 ahead of the peloton, moving him into 10th place overall.
The final kilometers were grueling for McDunphy, who battled severe cramping on the stage’s key climb, a 1.3km ascent averaging seven percent gradient. Despite the discomfort, he managed to power through, maintaining a strong pace to secure the win. McDunphy described the mental and physical challenges of the day, noting that while he “flagged badly” in the final 10km, he was able to hold on for the victory.
This triumph comes after a difficult period for McDunphy, who described the early part of his season as “pretty hard mentally.” He entered Rás Tailteann in strong form but suffered a crash that derailed his momentum. Reflecting on his season so far, he acknowledged that despite feeling good physically, things had not “clicked” until his victory in Canada. He credited his team, his girlfriend, his father, and his broader support network for keeping his spirits high during this challenging period.
Looking ahead, McDunphy remains focused on the demanding stages of the Tour de Beauce, particularly today’s uphill finish and the final criterium, which he won last year. His performance so far has demonstrated his resilience and determination, solidifying his position as a key contender in the race. With two wins in two days, Team Skyline is riding high, and McDunphy’s victory is a testament to his ability to overcome adversity and deliver under pressure.
