Les Grands Prix cyclistes de Québec et Montréal
The GPCQM races are a bit different in format from the other WT races of the season. They are held exclusively on urban circuits, which the riders must complete several times. From the spectator's point of view, this means you can watch the peloton pass by throughout the day and stay right in the thick of the action.
The GPCQM races are part of the UCI World Tour (WT) calendar and are therefore among the highest-level races of the season. A total of 36 races make up the WT calendar. Only six WT races take place outside Europe, and the GPCQM races are the only ones in America.
Quebec City
First, on September 12, riders will line up for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, which covers a total of 216 km. The 12 km circuit will have to be completed no less than 18 times. This race generally favours punchy sprinters who are able to break away in small groups in the shadow of the Château Frontenac after climbing the Côte de la Montagne.
This year's course differs slightly from previous iterations. First, the loop through the old town leading to the Côte de la Potasse and Rue des Glacis has been removed in favour of a quadrangle in the Montcalm neighbourhood. In addition, the start and finish lines have moved from Grande Allée to George VI Avenue, which crosses Battlefields Park on the Plains of Abraham. This change should allow more spectators to enjoy the action at the finish line, but also prolong the suspense of a sprint on a slight incline that is even longer than before.
Michael Matthews
The Australian rider from Jayco AlUla is no stranger to the podium in Quebec City, having climbed onto it seven times in his career, including three times on the top step (2018, 2019, 2024).
Arnaud de Lie
This young Belgian from Lotto already raised his arms in victory on Grande Allée in 2023 and is currently enjoying an excellent end to the season with victories in the Renewi Tour and the Bretagne Classic.
Quinn Simmons
You can be sure that the American from Lidl-Trek will be looking to shake up the race and perhaps break away from the leading group in the final laps to go for the win.
Wout Van Aert
The Belgian superstar from Team Visma | Lease a Bike will certainly want to improve on his fourth place finish in 2022.
Tadej Pogačar
Again and again.
Biniam Girmay
The Eritrean rider from the Intermarché – Wanty team has already taken 2nd and 3rd place on the podium in Quebec City. He will definitely want to do better this year.
Montreal
Two days after Quebec City, on Sunday, September 14, it will be Montreal's turn to welcome the elite with a 12.3 km circuit around Mount Royal, which will have to be completed 17 times for a total of 209 km and 4,573 metres of elevation gain.
17 times Camilien-Houde
17 times Polytechnique hill
17 times Avenue Pagnuelo
17 times Avenue du Parc
With such a profile, it's understandable that Montreal is generally better suited to climbers than sprinters. Camilien-Houde is definitely not the most imposing climb of the season, but it's the repetition of it, added to the other difficulties of the course, that wears the riders down.
Tadej Pogačar
With two victories in as many appearances (2022, 2024), Pogačar is of course the clear favourite.
Wout Van Aert
If he manages the climbs well, WVA could well win at the finish line, much like he did on stage 21 of this year's Tour de France.
Adam Yates
Winner in Montreal in 2023, he could well have the freedom to go for the win again this year. Especially if the title contenders are more focused on his Slovenian teammate (Pogačar), he could slip away incognito to victory.
Simon Yates
The identical twin of the other, he has all the physical attributes to take the win.
Julian Alaphilippe
We can count on the Frenchman from Tudor Pro Cycling Team to liven up the race. Having finished third last year, he could surprise us again.
Tips and Tricks
- Attend the team presentation. It's a great way to get to know the riders.
- By arriving early, you can also enjoy being close to the riders before the start as they line up at the starting line.
- Vary your viewing spots to get the most out of the show. There is a 15- to 20-minute interval between each lap of the peloton. That leaves plenty of time to stroll around the circuit at your leisure.
- The teams usually go for a bike ride on Île d'Orléans on Thursday and reconnoiter the circuit in Montreal on Saturday. Get your bike out too—you might get the chance to ride a few kilometres with them.
- Plan to arrive several laps early if you want a good spot at the finish line.
- In Quebec City, head to Côte de la Montagne and Rue du Fort; from Rue Dalhousie to Rue Saint-Louis is the most difficult part of the course. The riders go slower there, so you have more time to watch them.
- In Montreal, feel the speed of the peloton at the corner of Avenue du Parc and Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine. To optimize their trajectory, the riders will literally brush against the barriers as they turn left after the slight downhill slope of Avenue du Parc. Not too far from the starting line, it's the perfect place to get your hair blown back.
- Come see us at the fan village in Montreal. We'll have an Oberson tent and a few surprises for you!
