American Colin Joyce takes first stage at Tour of Alberta

American Colin Joyce is the early leader at the Tour of Alberta after winning the first stage on Thursday.

Joyce, of the Axeon Hagen Berman cycling team, took the Province of Alberta jersey after completing the 106.7-kilometre Lethbridge Circuit in two hours 23 minutes 18 seconds.

Fellow Americans Alex Howes and Robin Carpenter followed Joyce in a tie for the second-fastest time. Howes, who races for Cannondale-Drapac, and Carpenter, of Holowesko-Citadel racing, came in at a time of 2:23:25.

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Antoine Duchesne was the top Canadian on the day. Racing for Team Canada, the 24-year-old from Saguenay, Que., crossed the line in a tie for fourth at 2:23:31 to grab the Best Canadian Jersey.

Stage 2 of the five-stage circuit starts Friday and goes from Kananaskis to Olds and will cover 182 kilometres.