2014 Grandes Prix Cyclistes: Québec et Montréal, 12 and 14 o

[maltiv]

Because he has been racking in victory after victory this and last year?

Kruiswijk would whoop his *** again just like he did in Norway.

Yes, a 10 km MTF at 5,5% is essentially the same thing as a hilly classic, totally comparable.

Has Kruiswijk ever been top 15 in a one day race?

 

[shalgo]

Recently realized that the Camilien-Houde circuit is a famous circuit for cyclos in Quebec and that it was the exact same circuit on which Merckx was World Champion in 1974. Could any Quebecker tell me if the GP des Amériques in the early nineties used the same route?

My memory is that the course was different. It finished at the same place on Avenue du Parc, but they went the opposite direction on Camilien-Houde and went around the south side of Mount Royal rather than through the Universite de Montreal. It is possible, of course, that my memory is playing tricks with me; I watched the races live in 1991 and 1992--a long time ago.

 

[BigMac]

My memory is that the course was different. It finished at the same place on Avenue du Parc, but they went the opposite direction on Camilien-Houde and went around the south side of Mount Royal rather than through the Universite de Montreal. It is possible, of course, that my memory is playing tricks with me; I watched the races live in 1991 and 1992--a long time ago.

Thank you. Also, I like your location. ''...To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”

 

[shalgo]

Thank you. Also, I like your location. ''...To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”

Thanks. I love that talk by Sagan (Carl, not Peter).

 

[Kwibus]

Always good racing in Canada. Agree that the fact that it's a circuit is a bit lame, but the racing has always been good here and the list of winners since it started is pretty damn nice.

 

[BigMac]

Always good racing in Canada. Agree that the fact that it's a circuit is a bit lame, but the racing has always been good here and the list of winners since it started is pretty damn nice.

I don't think it's lame. I think it's what makes these races romantic and unique. Take Québec as an example. Having a race around the ville where Europe meets North America - with fantastic crouds - finishing in the early twilight with slightly darkened skies. It's priceless. I only regret it is this early in the calendar. This region is as beautiful as you can get during Autumn, especially rainy.

 

[Echoes]

My memory is that the course was different. It finished at the same place on Avenue du Parc, but they went the opposite direction on Camilien-Houde and went around the south side of Mount Royal rather than through the Universite de Montreal. It is possible, of course, that my memory is playing tricks with me; I watched the races live in 1991 and 1992--a long time ago.

Thank you, Shalgo. I was very young at that time and didn't watch and wouldn't remembered it if I did but my source is this article by Le Soir which talks about a course of 16km (with Camilien Houde but no mention of Polytech), compared to the 12.5km of the modern race (similar to the 1974 one). So your memories confirm my thought.

I don't think it's lame. I think it's what makes these races romantic and unique. Take Québec as an example. Having a race around the ville where Europe meets North America - with fantastic crouds - finishing in the early twilight with slightly darkened skies. It's priceless. I only regret it is this early in the calendar. This region is as beautiful as you can get during Autumn, especially rainy.

In the Low Countries, we are used to classics being city to city. ]Acadians[/URL]. Greatest people I've ever seen.

 

[shalgo]

I don't think it's lame. I think it's what makes these races romantic and unique. Take Québec as an example. Having a race around the ville where Europe meets North America - with fantastic crouds - finishing in the early twilight with slightly darkened skies. It's priceless. I only regret it is this early in the calendar. This region is as beautiful as you can get during Autumn, especially rainy.

Back in 91 and 92, I put on my running gear and ran back and forth to catch the riders twice per loop in Montreal. The circuit course allowed me to see the riders many more times than would have been possible otherwise.

 

[BigMac]

In the Low Countries, we are used to classics being city to city.

But I agree with you. I went to Quebec in summer, a long time ago. It was beautiful but the trees did not have those beautiful Autumn colours. Gaspesia is amazing and the Quebeckers are so kind people, with a lot of cultural knowledge (no wonder their motto is "I remember").

And then the Acadians. Greatest people I've ever seen.

Clearly my bad, as it was not my intention to claim these races uniqueness over others, but rather themselves, in that if they were not a city circuit, they wouldn't be as special. It was a semantic error. Canada is in it's entire a sight to behold. I can only imagine the landscapes and the culture and what it was to be there. Thanks for letting me know about the Acadians, I'll have to read about the French and Indian War.

Great song as well.

Back in 91 and 92, I put on my running gear and ran back and forth to catch the riders twice per loop in Montreal. The circuit course allowed me to see the riders many more times than would have been possible otherwise.

This too is one of the main advantages of circuits, especially in cities. It allows for more interaction between the crowds and the riders It also gives, in my opinion, a more familiar and warm side to the race, especially for the spectators.

 

[Kwibus]

I don't think it's lame. I think it's what makes these races romantic and unique. Take Québec as an example. Having a race around the ville where Europe meets North America - with fantastic crouds - finishing in the early twilight with slightly darkened skies. It's priceless. I only regret it is this early in the calendar. This region is as beautiful as you can get during Autumn, especially rainy.

Fair point. Afterall it does make these races kind of unique and get a kind of WC feel.
Too bad it conflicts with the Vuelta since the races deserve an awesome lineup. In the end usually the strongest rider wins, or atleast one of the strongest.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Fair point. Afterall it does make these races kind of unique and get a kind of WC feel.
Too bad it conflicts with the Vuelta since the races deserve an awesome lineup. In the end usually the strongest rider wins, or atleast one of the strongest.

Don't think the lineup is bad at all.

From procyclingstats, here is a little overview of who are going:

1. Lampre-Merida (Costa, Horner)
2. Movistar Team (Intxausti, Rojas)
3. AG2R La Mondiale (Bardet, Peraud)
4. Tinkoff-Saxo (Rogers, Breschel)
5. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step (Meersman, Bakelants)
6. Belkin-Pro Cycling Team (Mollema, Vanmarcke)
7. Team Katusha (Kristoff, Špilak)
8. BMC Racing Team (van Garderen, Van Avermaet)
9. Astana Pro Team (Fuglsang, Bozic)
10. Trek Factory Racing (Nizzolo, Kiserlovski)
11. Team Sky (Thomas, Boasson Hagen)
12. Team Giant-Shimano (Dumoulin, Geschke)
13. Orica GreenEDGE (Gerrans, Albasini)
14. FDJ.fr (Vichot, Jeannesson)
15. Garmin Sharp (Slagter, Navardauskas)
16. Lotto Belisol (Gallopin, Roelandts)
17. Cannondale (Formolo, Villella)
18. Team Europcar (Coquard, Gautier)
19. Canada (Anderson, Roth)

 

[Echoes]

Canada is in it's entire a sight to behold. I can only imagine the landscapes and the culture and what it was to be there. Thanks for letting me know about the Acadians, I'll have to read about the French and Indian War.

Great song as well.

Your curiosity will never cease to amaze me, BigMac.

I have a lot of doco to possibly share but they are in French... Though apparently there's a long series about Quebec's history on YT.

Key moments for me:

Great Peace of Montreal 1701 & Acadian Deportation (but 7' for such key moments is much too short, I guess)

Also an episode that inspires me a lot is the Pontiac rebellion, described here by Charles Dawes, of Indian heritage, in the very good doco: 500 Nations by Kevin Costner. Explaining how the French had much more ties with the Indians than the Brits.

"Spanish civilization crushed the Indian; English civilization scorned and neglected him; French civilization embraced and cherished him" (Francis Parkman) Oh well, I don't know if a Portuguese can appreciate this, lol.


Vive le Quebec libre One of the greatest speeches in modern history!

The song Acadian Driftwood by the Band brings back memories for me because I was listening to it in the plane that brought me to Canada.

 

[cineteq]

PROVISORY ENTRY LIST

Quebec: http://gpcqm.ca/uploads/pdf/2014_FR_Liste engagés_8sept Québec NATION.pdf

Montreal: http://gpcqm.ca/uploads/pdf/2014_FR_Liste engagés_8sept Montréal NATION.pdf

 

[BigMac]

Thank you, cineteq. Do not forget to make some exclusive interviews.

Also, reminder that The Sprint is tomorrow and will be live on eurosport.

 

[cineteq]

Thank you, cineteq. Do not forget to make some exclusive interviews.

Also, reminder that The Sprint is tomorrow and will be live on eurosport.

It's gonna be hard to interview anyone, maybe I can wait for them downtown while they're shopping

Official Start List for the Challenge Sprint Pro
http://gpcqm.ca/uploads/pdf/2014_Liste des partants_Challenge Sprint Pro.pdf

 

[BigMac]

It's gonna be hard to interview anyone, maybe I can wait for them downtown while they're shopping

Official Start List for the Challenge Sprint Pro
http://gpcqm.ca/uploads/pdf/2014_Liste des partants_Challenge Sprint Pro.pdf

Joking mate, but if you get the chance, don't exitate.

Thanks for the Sprint startlist. I say lobato wins it ahead of Coquard.

 

[VeloHuman]

Kristoff in attendance, and so is Spilak. Wonder if Katusha will divert many resources to trying to get Kristoff to the line in one piece.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Out of all the "new" races in the WT calendar, the 2 canadian/quebecian classics have proved the main success. It goes to show that a bit of audacity isn't bad. To me the Tour of Oman is also a great race which would gain from being WT as well.

Don't forget the strade bianchi!

Anyway, GVA for 2nd or 3th place is obvious

 

[BigMig00]

Spilak at $151 is surely worth a nibble.

 

[greenedge]

GVA for Quebec

Gerrans for Montreal and to lay down a marker for his eventual WC win

 

[Der Effe]

Gerrans for Montreal and to lay down a marker for his eventual WC win

Why would anyone want that? Any race he wins is an absolute borefest.

 

[jens_attacks]

Spilak at $151 is surely worth a nibble.

if you know for sure that in the day of the race there will be massive rain and under 10 celsius

 

[Mellow Velo]

Hopefully this course change will be a one off affair.
I'm a firm believer in if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Adding 35kms of flat and losing 24 climbs may stop a few riders climbing off and heading for the team hotel courtyard, but that's about it.
I'm not impressed.

To me, Quebec has had the perfect range of riders in it's various top 10's; a real mix of who's who. Few races can be competitive for GT specialists, puncheurs and even the odd sprinter who can climb a bit, type.
I hope this change doesn't tip the balance too far towards the latter, for it can only result in a more controlled race.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It's gonna be hard to interview anyone, maybe I can wait for them downtown while they're shopping

Official Start List for the Challenge Sprint Pro
http://gpcqm.ca/uploads/pdf/2014_Liste des partants_Challenge Sprint Pro.pdf

Coquard will grab this little appetizer.

 

[richo36]

Why would anyone want that? Any race he wins is an absolute borefest.

I did enjoy his MSR win. Even Though he did wheel suck it was an awesome race and had me personally on the edge of my seat.