The Canadian Grand Prix races in Québec and Montréal have proven to be a great warm-up for riders eying the World Championships in late September, and this year Tadej Pogačar, the world's number-one ranked rider, travelled to Québec as he has made the rainbow jersey his top end-of-the-season objective.
Both the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal are demanding circuit races through the two largest cities in the French-speaking province of Canada.
The Québec race, which laces its way through the historic centre of the old town, is tailor-made for sprinters and punchers. Meanwhile the Montréal race boasts nearly 4,000 meters of altitude gain, and is always a race of attrition.
On paper Pogačar was only one of many favourites in Québec, as the race often finishes with a pack of nearly 50 riders sprinting towards the line. But that didn't stop him from trying to turn the tables on the sprinters with a blistering attack on the final climb.
Defending champion Arnaud De Lie, was the first to follow, and while the initiative was soon stifled, the Belgian had little left for the sprint, and could only watch as Australian Michael Matthews stormed to his third win here in Québec.
Pogačar however, was clearly on a level all his own in Montréal, attacking with nearly two laps to go, for a romping, stomping, solo victory. Clearly the Slovenian has recovered from his Giro d'Italia, Tour de France double this summer and is ready for Worlds.
What better way to get over jet lag than a 100-kilometre training ride. Pogačar and teammate Tim Wellens drive the pace as they loop around the Ile d'Orléans, outside of Québec City the day after arriving in Canada.
In many ways l'Ile d'Orléans is lost in time as it is filled with quaint homes like this one.
For the Canadian national team, these WorldTour races are some of the biggest of the year.
A familiar face at these races, Michael Matthews came to win.
The pack rolls by one of the many cruise ships that visit this port regularly, as Québec City has become a real cruise destination.
The peloton powers its way up the steep Côte de la Montagne.
The pack races down Saint Jean, a cobblestone street in the heart of Québec City.
The colourful Grand Allée leads to the finish line of each lap.
Pogačar may not have won the race with his lethal attack, but those who tried to follow – like Belgian national champion Arnaud De Lie – certainly lost the race.
Michael Matthews (third from the left) jumped early and charged towards the line to become the first rider to win the Québec race three times.
Riders make their way towards the start of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal past a large balloon announcing that the city will be hosting the World Championships in two years. The city already hosted the worlds in 1974, as well as the Olympic road race in 1976.
The peloton turns past rue Mont-Royal with the Olympic stadium standing in the shadows at the end of the street.
The Indian summer here in Montréal brought out some of the biggest crowds to date.
Attacking with nearly two laps to go, leaving little suspense as to who was the strongest in Montréal this year.
Looking for the Montréal chapter of the Tadej Pogačar fan club?
Entering the bell lap, Pogačar is all alone.
Already the winner here in 2022, followed by teammate Adam Yates last year, Pogačar leads UAE Emirates team to its third straight victory in Montréal.
While Basque rider Pello Bilbao manage to sneak away for second place, Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (second from left) leads the charge of the main group of chasers to get third, his best finish to date here in Montréal.
Michael Woods proved to be the best Canadian finisher in the race. The recent Vuelta a España stage winner, was happy with a well-earned eighth place in front of his home crowds.
