Yukon cyclist Zach Bell entered his off-season in style this week.

In his final competition of the season, the 31-year-old from Watson Lake finished the Thompson Bucks County Classic road race with a 20-kilometre solo breakaway.

The 160.5-km Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) race in Pennsylvania was marked by wet, cool conditions – and plenty of crashes.

Bell’s win was the first of two for Team SmartStop on the weekend, with Shane Kline going on to win Sunday’s criterium race.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Bell dedicated his win to his late son Paxton who was born Oct. 13, 2012 before dying three days later due to complications of childbirth.

Bell said ever since, the number 13 has taken on a special meaning for him. Racing on the 13th or with bib number 13 has become lucky.

“Ever since he was born, I’ve had good luck with 13s,” Bell admitted. “I think two of the races I won last year I was wearing 13.

“And with our campaign coming up, I wanted to remind people that good things happen to people after tragedy. It was just a pretty special day for me.”

Bell and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed a daughter, Lucy, in June.

The couple is continuing to remember their late son through the sales of candles via their Paxton’s Lights of Hope campaign.

Proceeds benefit the B.C. Women’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit, which cared for the couple during their tragedy. Candles are available for sale online at paxtonslights.com.

Bell’s win came down to a variety of late-season factors.

“I’ve been racing pretty hard the last month and a bit with stage races, so my form was good,” Bell told the Star. “It’s just one of those races that comes down to a war of attrition where it’s guys who still have the fitness and the willingness to try and win the race.

“With the conditions being wet and undesirable, it took some mental fortitude to stick it out.”

With 20 km left in the race, Bell launched a successful attack on a climb. He went on to finish the race in breakaway fashion, riding solo in the rain for his first UCI win of the season.

“When I went, it was one of those times when other guys would hesitate because maybe it was too far,” Bell said. “I didn’t intend to go totally solo the whole way ... I was just seeing who had the legs, but none of them did.”

Bell flexed his muscles after crossing the finish line in New Hope, before pointing his right hand at the sky.

Earlier this month, Bell captained Team SmartStop in the Tour of Alberta, opening up the competition as the top Canadian in the event’s prologue.

Bell went on to finish the 732.8-km five-stage race in 43rd overall.

The former Olympian said his season, which included an appearance at the Commonwealth Games, was a special one, despite losing a chunk of time due to a broken collarbone.

“I didn’t have huge results – there was some good ones in there for sure, but for me to do the things I was able to do ... helping captain a ship that nobody really believed in at the beginning of the year, and to have that team come out and be ranked the best team in North America ... being part of that was pretty special.”

While due for plenty of “daddy-daughter time” this off-season, Bell said he expects to spend a chunk of time working on the Zach Bell Rural Youth Sport Initiative in the Yukon.

“The off-season is the time when I can really do the meaningful work of sport, as I like to call it,” he said.

“The rest of the season is sort of the selfish side of trying to get results and trying to be a sportsperson, but really the off-season is when you can do the things that make a difference in communities and aspiring athletes.”

As for next year, Bell chose to stay mum on his cycling prospects.

“I can’t tell you with who, but I’m pretty set up for next year,” he said.

“We’re finalizing contract talks right now, but I’ll be riding my bike next year.”

Bell expects to be back in the saddle again by late January.