New Zealander Josh Burnett from MitoQ-NZ cycling Project has been crowned Tour de Beauce champion in Canada.

Irishman Conn McDunphy of the Skyline team won the fifth and final stage in downtown Saint-Georges, Quebec after attacking solo with two laps remaining.

At the start of this last stage, which was always lively, no-one could predict with certainty who would be crowned winner since 10 riders were still less than 80 seconds behind the leader.

The demanding 12-lap, 122km urban circuit lived up to its reputation with several strategies to crack the MitoQ lineup. After taking advantage of the work of his teammates, Burnett had to complete the work himself to celebrate the overall victory.

The 23-year-old New Zealander will not have made such a long trip to Canada for nothing. For him, this was a victory to savour and his first international title.

Burnett finished 44 seconds clear of Tyler Stites (Echelon Racing) was fifth in the green jersey battle, with his MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project teammates outstanding in protecting his lead on the final stage. He was also fifth in the Points race and third in the Mountain jersey just ahead of teenage teammate Marshall Erwood.