{"id":119509,"date":"2026-04-30T18:28:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/adam-smith-makes-statement-in-first-pro-stage-race\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T18:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:28:59","slug":"adam-smith-makes-statement-in-first-pro-stage-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/adam-smith-makes-statement-in-first-pro-stage-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Adam Smith makes statement in first pro stage race"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Winnipeg\u2019s Adam Smith didn\u2019t quite know what to expect heading into Vuelta a Asturias. But he sure delivered a super-impressive ride.<\/p>\n

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\u2014dating 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\u2019s Christopher Laporte.<\/a><\/p>\n

The field was full of some big names\u2013including multiple Tour de France stage winner Nairo Quintana. In fact, the Movistar rider would go on to take the overall.<\/p>\n

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 On\u00eds. There, he placed fifth after animating the breakaway.<\/p>\n

Best laid plans<\/h2>\n

\u201cGoing 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,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIn the end we got myself and two other teammates in, which was really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the race unfolded over the 155-km opening stage, the move began to look increasingly dangerous.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe gap was pretty big, maybe five minutes at one point,\u201d he said. \u201cI was feeling really, really strong, especially on the climbs closer to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

The breakaway thinned late, leaving just five riders inside the final 10 km, including Smith and a teammate. From there, roles became clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d Smith<\/a> said. \u201cI didn\u2019t get away, but I attacked in the final and kind of helped as a lead-out for my teammate.\u201d<\/p>\n

That teammate, Gabriel Layrac, went on to take the stage win. It was a result Smith called \u201cabsolutely amazing,\u201d and one that set the tone for the week.<\/p>\n

No expectations at start<\/h2>\n

Smith said he came into the race with few expectations, given the step up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really know what to expect,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s my first pro stage race, so I didn\u2019t have anything to compare with.\u201d
But he knew he had some good fitness, and was stoked for the challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I was strong. I\u2019ve been progressing pretty steadily over the past couple years, and especially recently I\u2019ve been feeling pretty good in the races. Especially in the hard climbing races.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asturias is four stages, with a bunch of tough ones\u2013like Smith said, with lots of lumps.<\/p>\n

\u201cFifth on a stage and just losing the top 10 on the last day was good,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously it would have been nice to stay in the top 10, but I\u2019m really happy with the race as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/h2>\n

The performance is another step forward for the former junior national criterium champion, now in his first season with Aix Provence Dole.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really, really happy in my new team this year,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThe opportunities that we have as riders here are absolutely amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

That includes a mix of high-level races like Asturias and a steady block of French elite racing \u2014 something he credits for accelerating his development.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd then in the climbing stage races, starting to perform well there too.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next on the calendar<\/h2>\n

Smith\u2019s spring is building toward Ronde de l\u2019Isard at the end of May, where he will target the general classification in the five-day stage race in France.<\/p>\n

After that, the goals stack up quickly: the nationals, summer stage races like Giro della Valle d\u2019Aosta, a potential ride at Tour de l\u2019Avenir, and, then a big goal in September: the 2026 world championships in Montreal.<\/p>\n

For now, though, his first pro stage race has already delivered a clear message.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t really ask for a better calendar,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI\u2019m really happy\u2026and I can\u2019t wait to keep racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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