Next week sees the first ever races in the International Cycling Union (UCI) ProTour series to be held in North America with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Septemer 10th, followed by the Grand Prix Cyclist de Montréal on September 12th. Both races are new to the calendar but take their place in the UCI’s flagship series as part of the governing body’s plans for the expansion of the sport outside its European heartland.
The Tour Down Under was the first, and only other, event outside Europe to become part of the ProTour series when it joined in 2008, although the Tour of California may join in 2011.
“In Québec City, there’s a climb to the finish line,” said Charly Mottet, technical director of the two races. “That’ll make it extra challenging and only the really tough riders will like it. The circuit is right in the city, so people won’t have to go far to see the race. It should be a great atmosphere.
“The Montréal circuit already has a lot of history,” he added, “with the 1974 Worlds, the 1976 Olympic Games and the Grand Prix des Amériques. People talk about Mount Royal, but the university hill and the little climb at the end are hard, too.”
Québec, the French-speaking province of Canada, is looking forward to the opportunity to host some of the sport’s top riders. Despite a clash with the ongoing Vuelta a España, organisers expect Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), US champion George Hincapie (BMC Racing), Levi Leipheimer and Janez Brajkovic (both RadioShack), as well as prominent Canadian riders Ryder Hesjedal and Svein Tuft (both Garmin-Transitions).
The Cervélo TestTeam, sponsored by the eponymous Canadian bike company is not one of the four wildcard teams. However, a Canadian national team, directed by World and Olympic medallist Steve Bauer, will be led by Cervélo’s Canadian rider Dominique Rollin.
Ordinarily, only ProTour and Professional Continental teams are allowed to participate in ProTour races; the Canadian team is allowed via a special dispensation regulation though, brought in for the Tour Down Under in order that more local riders could participate.
“Two great races, really well run,” continued Mottet, who twice finished fourth in the Tour de France, “so that when the teams leave Canada they’ll be sorry to go, they’ll already be talking about coming back. The organisers have put in a terrific effort, for the transportation, the accommodation and just generally. These are two races that will really separate the men from the boys. A non-pro wouldn’t last more than five laps.”
“These are circuits for tough riders,” the Frenchman concluded.
Until last year, Montréal was host to both a World Cup race and a weeklong stage race for women. Both events ceased on the retirement of the organiser and many of the sponsors have moved across to the new men’s events.