Woods, Alaphilippe, De Lie, Girmay to headline Grands Prix Québec and Montréal

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Michael Woods, Julian Alaphilippe, Arnaud De Lie, and Biniam Girmay are among the massive names which can be set to headline the Canadian WorldTour races in Québec and Montréal subsequent week.

American racer Brandon McNulty can be scheduled to be there after confirming to Velo earlier this month that the 2 one-day races are on his racing calendar. Matteo Jorgenson can be anticipated to race in Canada.

The Grands Prix Cyclistes Québec and Montréal (GPCQM), which happen on September 8 and 10, will characteristic 161 racers from some 23 groups, together with all 18 WorldTour groups, 4 ProTeams, and a Canadian nationwide squad. The races have normally supplied a remaining tune-up for the world championships, however as an alternative this yr the races come after the worlds on account of a shake-up within the calendar for the 2023 season.

Despite that, it has nonetheless attracted a star-studded discipline that many races could be envious of. Different racers set to journey to Canada are the Yates brothers Adam and Simon, Jai Hindley, Michal Kwiatkowski, David Gaudu, Christophe Laporte, and Victor Lafay.

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“We’re happy and proud to be internet hosting such a high-level discipline of opponents as soon as once more in 2023, together with confirmed champions who carry out at their best possible for us yearly,” stated Sébastien Arsenault, CEO of the GPCQM. “Since 2010, our occasions have delivered spectacular athleticism and pleasure, and Tadej Pogačar’s and Benoît Cosnefroy’s victories final yr have been the final word reward for us.

“Because of the laborious work of our groups and the arrogance of our public- and private-sector companions, over time now we have constructed up the popularity of our races—the one UCI WorldTour occasions within the Americas—to the purpose the place they’re acclaimed as being among the many best possible on the planet. The prospect of internet hosting the UCI Street World Championships in 2026 additional fuels our ambition and dedication to stage excellent, world-class biking occasions.”

Michael Woods goals for victory in Montreal!

“I am prepared now. I’ve finished some good coaching in latest weeks and recovered nicely after the Tour. Now my legs are prepared.”

“The objective for me is actually Montreal. The circuit is extra suited to my model, with its steep gradients.” pic.twitter.com/81ZVsYcgHD

— GPCQM (@GPCQM) August 25, 2023

The GPCQM are the one WorldTour races in North America and have been round since 2010. Thomas Voeckler received the primary Québec occasion whereas Robert Gesink took victory in Montréal.

Each races are outlined by hilly parcours with circuits that undergo the guts of their respective host cities.

The 201.6km Québec race options 16 laps of a 12.6km circuit that goes over 4 sharp climb, together with the Côte de la Montagne and the rise to the end line alongside the Grande Allée. The riders will deal with nearly 3,000m of climbing throughout the 16 laps with the race more likely to come right down to small teams or a solo win.

Montréal options nearly 2,000m extra ascending than its sister race and can be higher suited to the climbers, like house racer Woods, although the likes of Michael Matthews and Greg Van Avermaet have prevailed right here previously.

At 12.3km the laps are marginally shorter than they are going to be in Québec, however the riders should tackle some 18 laps. In complete, the riders will race over 221.4km with 4 climbs per lap — the 1.8km Côte Camillien-Houde, which has a mean gradient of 8 p.c, is the longest of the race.