Canadians reflect on the importance of the Laurentian Classics on the eve of the 10th edition

Michael Woods, Svein Tuft, James Piccoli and other standout riders racing in Friday and Sunday's WorldTour events say we are lucky to have these events on Canadian soil

Philippe Tremblay September 12, 2019

The Grand Prix Cyclistes de Québec et Montréal celebrate their 10th edition this year. Ahead of the doubleheader of one-day WorldTour races, some of the 19 Canadian riders who will start the 2019 events reflected on the significance of these races. As the only two one-day WorldTour races in North America, they have played a big role in the recent development of men’s road cycling in Canada. The participation of a Canadian national team annually ensures opportunities for North American breakout riders, young aspiring professionals and promising talents to race against a field of the worlds best just a few weeks ahead of the big rendez-vous at Worlds. In 2019, that means Peter Sagan, Vincenzo Nibali, Greg Van Avermaet, Julian Alaphilippe, Remco Evenpoel and Michael Matthews line-up as contenders for the Laurentian Classics. Here are what Canadians had to say about the significance of these events to Canadian cycling.

Michael Woods – EF Education First – Third participation

It’s hard to underestimate how valuable these races are. We are super lucky to have Serge Arsenault putting them on. To have teams like Israel Cycling Academy and Rally UHC sending Canadian riders here, and to have a full complement of a national team program at this race, it gives a real glimpse of what WorldTour racing is. It’s what enabled me to get a contract with JV [Jonathan Vaughters]. Having done these races, I was able to come into the WorldTour and in my first WorldTour races with the team, the Tour Down Under, I was able to place fifth. A lot of people were impressed and shocked but I had done four WorldTour races at that point. I had done Montreal and Quebec two times and that level of experience enabled me to get that result there. I know that it will give the other guys here, we have 19 Canadians here, that extra experience that will get them results later on in their careers.

Adam de Vos – Rally UHC – Third participation

It’s going to be really cool racing with the jersey on with the home crowd, I’ve been savouring being in that jersey at every race this year and enjoying the special attributes that it has. It’s great to have these races, I’ve had the benefit of doing it once with the national team as a U23 prepping for worlds and then with Rally UHC getting invited with so many Canadians on the roster. It’s just great to have a race of this level to count on.

James Piccoli – Team Canada – Second participation

It means a lot more than people think cause even one race like this, it didn’t only give me something to strive to as I was coming up but if I was on any other national team, born in any other country, I wouldn’t have the chance to do events like this. It’s also just a really special experience, being from Montreal, to be able to race in front of my friends and family, and to have them understand what I do year around. There’s not many people in the world who have what we have. I have been training on the streets of Montreal where the race is held for 15 years. To be ableto race the only two North American WorldTour one day races and to have them in my backyard is really special.

Svein Tuft – Rally UHC – Third participation

It’s massive. It’s a very realistic view of European racing, of WorldTour racing at the very highest level. The guys coming here, there are big UCI points, they are prepping for worlds. They are peaking their form. Worlds is very close, so you get a taste of what the level is. You get a taste of fighting for position. The way these guys climb. It’s really important that our young guys get a feel of that.

Jordan Cheyne – Team Canada – First participation

Everyone is here to win. This is full-on. I’m excited about it. I love these sort of courses, I love these circuits. I am with my boi James [Piccoli]. I always race really well in Quebec, it’s perfect. This sport is tough sometimes. You can have a lot of success in North America but you end up in a cycle, at the same races but this is like that next step. It opens up opportunity. You can sort of see what you can do at the next level. When you know you are one of the best in North American. Maybe there are certain skills these races demand and maybe those skills are something you had but didn’t know about so it’s a wonderful opportunity.