Strong Field Announced for the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal

LONGUEUIL, QC, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - The 8th edition of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal (GPCQM), the only two UCI WorldTour races in North America and now well-established events on the international cycling calendar, will once again feature an impressive, high-calibre lineup. The 18 UCI WorldTeams, representing 13 countries and five continents, along with the two wild-card teams invited this year, Israel Cycling Academy and Team Canada, have put together competitive squads to tackle the selective and spectacular urban courses in Québec City and Montréal.

WORLDTEAM AND KEY RIDER BIOS HERE

The main attractions this year are two familiar faces at these GPs: Peter Sagan (BORA-HANSGROHE), the 2015 and 2016 Road World Champion, and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC RACING TEAM), the 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist and currently the UCI WorldTour points leader. Both riders are particularly fond of the Canadian races and have always done well here. A year ago, their duel was the big story, with the Slovak Sensation beating Van Avermaet to the line in Québec City, while two days later in Montréal the result was reversed, as the Belgian got his revenge.

But the two won't be alone in Québec this year: they'll face stiff competition from the likes of Tom Dumoulin (TEAM SUNWEB), winner of this year's Giro d'Italia and currently right behind Van Avermaet in the WorldTour rankings; Rigoberto Urán (CANNONDALE DRAPAC PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM), who was the runner-up in the Tour de France in July and previously won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec in 2015; Michael Matthews (TEAM SUNWEB), one of the toughest customers in the pro peloton; Jakob Fuglsang (ASTANA PRO TEAM), winner of this year's Critérium du Dauphiné; Tim Wellens, who took the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in 2015, and Tony Gallopin (both of LOTTO SOUDAL); Oliver Naesen (AG2R LA MONDIALE), champion of Belgium; Simon Gerrans (ORICA-SCOTT), who memorably won the Québec City and Montréal races in the same year (2014); and Sergio Henao (TEAM SKY), winner of this year's Paris–Nice race; along with Canadians Antoine Duchesne, Ryan Anderson, Matteo Dal-Cin, Guillaume Boivin and Benjamin Perry.

"Year after year, we are delighted to see such sustained interest in our events from the very best riders in the world," says Marcel Leblanc, Vice-President, GPCQM. "The big names who've competed here since 2010, and the consistent high praise for our organization, have only added to the reputation of the races. Once again this year, we can expect a cycling spectacle at the highest level. It is always a great honor for the organization to be hosting a field of such superior quality."

THE TEAMS AND RIDERS TO WATCH

AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
Alexis Vuillermoz (FRA)
Oliver Naesen (BEL)

ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ)
Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)
Moreno Moser (ITA)

BAHRAIN–MERIDA (BRN)
Sonny Colbrelli (ITA)
Enrico Gasparotto (ITA)

BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
Greg Van Avermaet (BEL)
Dylan Teuns (BEL)

BORA–HANSGROHE (GER)
Peter Sagan (SVK)
Maciej Bodnar (POL)

CANNONDALE–DRAPAC PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM (USA)
Rigoberto Urán (COL)
Alberto Bettiol (ITA)

FDJ (FRA)
Arnaud Démare (FRA)
Sébastien Reichenbach (SUI)

LOTTO SOUDAL (BEL)
Tim Wellens (BEL)
Tony Gallopin (FRA)

MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
Jesus Herrada (ESP)
Carlos Barbero (ESP)

ORICA–SCOTT (AUS)
Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Jens Keukeleire (BEL)

QUICK-STEP FLOORS (BEL)
Petr Vakoč (CZE)
Dries Devenyns (BEL)

TEAM DIMENSION DATA (RSA)
Stephen Cummings (GBR)
Nathan Haas (AUS)

TEAM KATUSHA–ALPECIN (SUI)
Simon Spilak (SLO)
Baptiste Planckaert (BEL)

TEAM LOTTO NL–JUMBO (NED)
Enrico Battaglin (ITA)
Paul Martens (GER)

TEAM SKY (GBR)
Sergio Luis Henao (COL)
Peter Kennaugh (GBR)

TEAM SUNWEB (GER)
Tom Dumoulin (NED)
Michael Matthews (AUS)

TREK–SEGAFREDO (USA)
Bauke Mollema (NED)
Jesper Stuyven (BEL)

UAE TEAM EMIRATES (UAE)
Diego Ulissi (ITA)
Marco Marcato (ITA)

ISRAEL CYCLING ACADEMY (ISR)
Guillaume Boivin (CAN)
Benjamin Perry (CAN)
Mihkel Raim (EST)

TEAM CANADA
Antoine Duchesne
Ryan Anderson
Matteo Dal-Cin

ABOUT THE GPCQM
The Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, the only two spots on the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour in the Americas, contribute to fulfilling one of the primary objectives of the International Cycling Union (UCI): the globalization of the WorldTour circuit. These tour stops are in addition to the existing, officially sanctioned events in Europe and Oceania. Since 2010, the organization has been responsible for the planning and the conduct of the GPCQM and counts on the invaluable support of public and private partners: the Government of Canada, the Gouvernement du Québec, the city of Québec, the city of Montréal, the National Battlefields Commission, Québec City Tourism, Tourisme Montréal, Québecor, Air Transat, and TVA Sports (official GPCQM broadcaster).

The International Cycling Union (UCI) is the international federation of cycling, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (ICO). The UCI oversees the worldwide management and promotion of the eight disciplines of cycling.

SOURCE Événements GPCQM

Related Links

WWW.GPCQM.CA