Greg Van Avermaet excited for GP Cycliste Montréal and Québec…and bagels?
Defending MTL champ looking forward to Canadian visit for change of pace
Photo by:
Yves Perret
It’s been three years since Greg Van Avermaet won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal and placed third at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, but he’s counting the days down before he can be back in la belle province.
After two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the only UCI WorldTour races in North America are back. The action gets underway on September 9 with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and its undulating course around downtown Québec city. Two days later, the same pros will battle the legendary climb of Mont Royal. On Wednesday, Canadian Cycling Magazine spoke to the 2016 Olympic Champion.
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In the past three years, a new wave of younger riders has emerged as top contenders in pro cycling. Riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogačar have become household names. That means for Van Avermaet, there are new rivals and competitors to look out for in the Canadian races.
“I would say I think the course really fits Wout van Aert. I think it’s the perfect parcours for him. And it’s the first time he will come to the Canadian races,” the Belgian said. “I think he’s kind of the same rider as me, with a good punch in the end and I think those kinds of finishes that we have there will still do even more. So I think he’s one of the top favorites.”
With riders having just finished the Tour only a month and a half ago, Van Avermaet knows it will be a competitive field. “I think the pack will be really strong and I think a lot of guys that did the Tour de France have been preparing to go to Canada and then to go to the worlds. I think the field will be strong. I think it will be a great, great race to watch and of course. I also think guys like Michael Matthews will have a chance to win.”
Although Van Avermaet has won the Montreal race, he was surprised each time. He always figured the punchy climbs of Québec city suited him more. In 2019, he still took third there, so when asked which of the two was his favourite courses, he laughed.
“I always thought that I would win easier in Quebec as the parcours suits me more. But I have now won twice in Montreal so it’s always strange for me that I’ve done well there,” he explains. “I thought Montreal was maybe a bit too hard for me but if it comes back as a small group, well it’s a really hard sprint in the end. So we will see how it goes this year.”
Although the races are his priority, the AG2R Citroën Team also said that he’s looking forward to the Canadian visit, for the nice hotels…and the food.
“I missed the Tour this year, but I was very motivated for the fall races,” Van Avermaet said. It’s nice to go to Canada, stay in some nice hotels in nice cities, and have one of those great Montreal bagels. It’s a nice change from the usual races in Europe.”
