A spectacular return: images from the first GP Québec and Montréal in three years

A spectacular return: images from the first GP Québec and Montréal in three years

A selection of the best images from GP Québec and Montréal

Photos: James Startt Words: James Startt

While the dust settled on the Vuelta a España on Sunday, many of the world's best one-day riders were trading punches at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal this past weekend.

It's been three long years since these popular WorldTour events took place, and the fireworks seemingly never ceased. While the unheralded French rider Benoit Cosnefroy turned the tables on Wout Van Aert on the picturesque loop through Québec City on Friday, it was two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar who came out on top in downtown Montréal, attacking Van Aert on the final climbs and outsprinting him to the line in a truly spectacular finish.

Indeed three years was a long time to wait, but once again the Canadian Grand Prix races staged quite a show.

Take a look through some of the best shots from both of this year's Canadian one-day races.

All eyes were on Wout Van Aert before the start of the Québec Grand Prix, a race that appeared perfectly suited for the world’s number-two ranked rider.

When Australia’s Michael Matthews won in Québec in 2019, he never expected it would take three years to defend his title. Covid changed that.

The peloton rolled out over the impressive port on the St. Lawrence River. 

Québec rider Hugo Houle has never been so popular since he won his memorable stage in the Tour de France this summer.

Old Québec offered a distinctive stage for the first of the two Canadian Grand Prix races.
Steep hills and technical descents are par for the course in Québec.
While all eyes were on Belgium’s Wout Van Aert, it was 26-year-old French rider Benoit Cosnefroy who stole the show, jumping away in the final two kilometers and surprising the favourites.
Cosnefroy screamed across the line, aware that he had just scored his biggest victory to date as a professional.
If Wout Van Aert was Goliath then Benoit Cosnefroy was David at the finish in Québec.
Peter Sagan readies for the start of the Montréal race on Sunday morning. A winner of both races, the Slovak was happy to finally return to Canada. But unfortunately his condition did not follow.
The peloton rolls out under the shadow of the famous Montréal Polytechnique.
Wout Van Aert and Tadej Pogačar could be seen near the front all day in Montréal.
The 1976 Olympic stadium can be seen in the distance on several spots in the Montréal race, which is held on the same circuit as the Games that year.
Eritrea fans came out in numbers in downtown Montréal and they were only too happy to get a glimpse of the national hero Biniam Girmay.
Tadej Pogačar attacked hard on the final lap and even gapped Van Aert briefly. 
Battling back, Van Aert appeared to be primed for victory in the final kilometers.
While Van Aert led out the final sprint, his legs were peppered from the incessant climbing in Montréal, and he was no match for Tadej Pogačar, who stormed across the line.
Photos: James Startt Words: James Startt

READ MORE

A showdown the UCI would have longed for - Vos and Kopecky face-off lights up the Gravel World Championships

A showdown the UCI would have longed for - Vos and Kopecky face-off lights up the Gravel World Championships

Lotte Kopecky impressed in her first-ever gravel race, but in the end there stood the familiar sight of Marianne Vos in the rainbow bands

Leggi di più
Gravel World Championships 2024 preview: route and key contenders

Gravel World Championships 2024 preview: route and key contenders

Taking place on October 5 and 6, Rouleur evaluates the top contenders for the men's and women's titles

Leggi di più
The long and the short: Inside the rise of cycling's mega-contracts

The long and the short: Inside the rise of cycling's mega-contracts

Rouleur speaks to those inside the transfer merry-go-round to find out why men's WorldTour riders are being handed longer and longer contracts

Leggi di più
We will never be here again - a book by Svein Tuft

We will never be here again - a book by Svein Tuft

Richard Abraham shares more on his new book with former professional cyclist Svein Tuft

Leggi di più
A World Championships in mourning

A World Championships in mourning

Rachel Jary reflects on a difficult week in Switzerland marked by the tragic passing of 18-year-old Swiss rider Muriel Furrer

Leggi di più
‘A whole new can of worms’ - Will Ben O’Connor tackle one-day races after his breakthrough second place at the World Championships?

‘A whole new can of worms’ - Will Ben O’Connor tackle one-day races after his breakthrough second place at the World Championships?

Usually not considered a one-day racer, the Australian rider finished with an unexpected silver medal in Zurich

Leggi di più

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image