Winnipeg’s Adam Smith didn’t quite know what to expect heading into Vuelta a Asturias. But he sure delivered a super-impressive ride.
On April 23, the 19-year-old was in Spain, lining up for his first pro stage race, racing with French Conti squad AVC Aix Provence Dole. His team is a long-running French outfit—dating back to 1925. In 2025, it stepped up from club level to Continental status. It also has several notable alum, most recently Visma-Lease a Bike’s Christopher Laporte.
The field was full of some big names–including multiple Tour de France stage winner Nairo Quintana. In fact, the Movistar rider would go on to take the overall.
By the end of four demanding days across northern Spain, Smith had more than held his own.
He finished 12th overall, narrowly missing the top-10 on GC on the final day. He opened his race with a standout ride on Stage 1 from Oviedo to Benia de Onís. There, he placed fifth after animating the breakaway.
Best laid plans
“Going into stage one, the plan was to try to get into the breakaway with one or as many of us from our team as possible,” Smith said. “In the end we got myself and two other teammates in, which was really good.”
As the race unfolded over the 155-km opening stage, the move began to look increasingly dangerous.
“The gap was pretty big, maybe five minutes at one point,” he said. “I was feeling really, really strong, especially on the climbs closer to the end.”
The breakaway thinned late, leaving just five riders inside the final 10 km, including Smith and a teammate. From there, roles became clear.
“The plan was for me to try to attack a bit more, helping him save energy, but also having the opportunity to try to get away,” Smith said. “I didn’t get away, but I attacked in the final and kind of helped as a lead-out for my teammate.”
That teammate, Gabriel Layrac, went on to take the stage win. It was a result Smith called “absolutely amazing,” and one that set the tone for the week.
No expectations at start
Smith said he came into the race with few expectations, given the step up.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said. “It’s my first pro stage race, so I didn’t have anything to compare with.”
But he knew he had some good fitness, and was stoked for the challenge.
“I knew I was strong. I’ve been progressing pretty steadily over the past couple years, and especially recently I’ve been feeling pretty good in the races. Especially in the hard climbing races.”
Asturias is four stages, with a bunch of tough ones–like Smith said, with lots of lumps.
“Fifth on a stage and just losing the top 10 on the last day was good,” he said. “Obviously it would have been nice to stay in the top 10, but I’m really happy with the race as a whole.”
Looking ahead
The performance is another step forward for the former junior national criterium champion, now in his first season with Aix Provence Dole.
“I’m really, really happy in my new team this year,” Smith said. “The opportunities that we have as riders here are absolutely amazing.”
That includes a mix of high-level races like Asturias and a steady block of French elite racing — something he credits for accelerating his development.
“It’s been really good for me to have a good mix of racing and be able to get in a lot of race days, just learning and improving,” he said. “And then in the climbing stage races, starting to perform well there too.”
What’s next on the calendar
Smith’s spring is building toward Ronde de l’Isard at the end of May, where he will target the general classification in the five-day stage race in France.
After that, the goals stack up quickly: the nationals, summer stage races like Giro della Valle d’Aosta, a potential ride at Tour de l’Avenir, and, then a big goal in September: the 2026 world championships in Montreal.
For now, though, his first pro stage race has already delivered a clear message.
“I can’t really ask for a better calendar,” Smith said. “I’m really happy…and I can’t wait to keep racing.”