Quebec World Tour organizers unveil list of invited teams

The organizers of the Quebec and Montreal World Tour races have unveiled the list of teams that will be taking part six months from now.

All 18 UCI ProTeams are automatically invited to the events. Two of these teams have Canadian riders: Ryder Hesjedal — who was fourth in Quebec and third in Montreal last year — will be back with Garmin-Cervelo; and after missing the 2010 events due to injury, Michael Barry is hoping to line up alongside his Sky Procycling teammates.

The organizers also invited several continental professional teams.

These include two European squads with Canadians: Francaise des Jeux with Dominique Rollin and Europcar, with David Veilleux (not to mention 2010 Quebec winner Thomas Voeckler of France).

More significantly for Canadian participation, Ontario-based Team Spidertech p/b C10 is the only North American continental professional team invited.

The only other top-level Canadian left out is Christian Meier, whose U.S.-based UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling squad isn’t invited.

The organizers also announced some changes. Most notably, in order to make them more like other World Tour (formerly known as ProTour) events the races are each being lengthened by a lap, bringing both over 200 km.

Racing begins with a sprint challenge in the streets of Quebec City on Thursday Sept. 8. The GP de Quebec is Sept. 9 and the GP de Montreal is Sept. 11. Visit the official website here for more information.

Full list of invited teams:

ProTeams:

• AG2R La Mondiale
• BMC Racing Team
• Euskaltel-Euskadi
• HTC – Highroad
• Katusha
• Team Lampre – ISD
• Leopard Trek
• Liquigas-Cannondale
• Movistar
• Team Omega Pharma-Lotto
• Pro Team Astana
• Quickstep Cycling Team
• Rabobank Cycling Team
• Saxo Bank Sungard
• Sky Procycling
• Team Garmin-Cervelo
• Team RadioShack
• Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

Continental professional teams:

• Cofidis
• FDJ
• Team Europcar
• Team SpiderTeck powered by C10