Closure of Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve raises the ire of local riders

This summer, between May 8 and Sept. 4, Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve—a motor-racing circuit that has hosted everything from the NASCAR Pinty’s Series to the FIA World Sportscar Championship events, and has become a haven for riders looking for a high-performance training venue—will be off-limits to cyclists. The Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau dropped the news last week, citing construction needs.

Almost overnight, a heated public response to the Circuit’s closure swelled the signature lists of petitions and the membership of Facebook groups, with as many as 4,000 signatures and 3,000 Facebook users protesting the decision.

“Already in three days we’ve collected 4,000 signatures to assure the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve remains open for cyclists,” said Valérie Plante, leader Projet Montréal, in the Montreal Gazette. “For us that is irrefutable proof to what point Montrealers, be they cyclists or in-line skaters or families, enjoy the athletic facilities on Parc Jean-Drapeau and want them to stay open.”

Though Montreal’s mayor, Denis Coderre, claimed that the closure has the safety of cyclists in mind, opponents of the decision aren’t buying it. The impact of the loss of a major training venue for both recreational and professional riders, they say, will be too great—especially with such little notice, and doubly so during the busiest time of the year for cyclists.

Before its summer-long closure, the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve will be open until May 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 pm.