2015 GP Cyclistes: Québec et Montréal, Sep. 11 and 13

[BigMac]

La Québécoise et la Montréalaise are back! And after last year's slight disappointment, the race on La Vieille Capitale is back to the original route, making it tougher. Last year, due to road works, the circuit had to be adjusted, making it longer (from the usual 12.6km to more than 18) but losing much of it's total elevation. 3000m uphill down to 2300m. I'm also very much convinced the top performers in Québec will do well in Richmond.

STARTLIST (provisional)

Québec: Côte de la Montagne, 375m @ 10%; Côte de la Potasse, 420m @ 9%; Montée de la Fabrique, 190m @ 7%; Montée du Fort - Grand Alée (finish), 1km @ 4%.

Last year's Top10:
1. Simon Gerrans
2. Tom Dumoulin
3. Ramunas Navardauskas
4. Daryl Impey
5. Greg Van Avarmaet
6. Gianni Meersman
7. Sep Vanmarcke
8. Enrico Gasparotto
9. Tony Gallopin
10. Bauke Mollema

Don't expect many similarities except GVA and Galloping Foxley in the mix, with Mollema as well and Slagter cracking the top ten after some great showings in Alberta. Navardauskas to do well, too.

Montréal: Côte de Camillien-Houde, 1,8km @ 8%; Côte de la Polytechnique, 780m @ 6%; Avenue du Parc (finish), 560m @ 4%.

Last year's Top10.
1. Simon Gerrans
2. Rui Costa
3. Tony Gallopin
4. Ramunas Navardauskas
5. Romain Bardet
6. Tom Dumoulin
7. Greg Van Avarmaet
8. Jonathan Hivert
9. Enrico Gasparotto
10. Bauke Mollema

Broadcast: Québec should be live on Eurosport at 4pm GMT, Montréal at 8pm GMT. Feel free do add info.
Online streams to be added on race day.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Always like these races, thanks for the OP.

 

[BigMac]

Yes, they're great! NP.

For those interested I think the always-entertaining-sprint contest will be live tomorrow.

They will let Coquard win this time, you heard it here first. Oh, and shout out to the great Canadian team likely to animate both races this year, with Mikey Woods and Rob Britton (I think he can top10!) as the main guys.

 

[Jspear]

Should have known that Bigmac was going to start this thread.
Thanks for the info. I always enjoy these races.

I hope Orica takes the win - hopefully with Matthews. A. Yates can take Montréal.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

GVA is the big favorite for both races.

 

[GP Blanco]

Nice races in the last years. Let's hope Gesink will do well like het usually does in Canada. Also it is funny to watch races when it is dark outside but sunny on your tv screen.

 

[damian13ster]

True tell all for Kwiatkowski. Will he amount for anything in the worlds or will the season be subpar since AGR win?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yea, GVA is the man to beat.

 

[Gigs_98]

Was last years edition this extremely frustrating race in which Gerrans caught Dumoulin on the finish line?

 

[BigMac]

Was last years edition this extremely frustrating race in which Gerrans caught Dumoulin on the finish line?

Yes. Though, as stated in the OP, the race is back to it's origins and the parcours is much harder.

That said, Gerro in form would still be the man to beat on this route, as he's shown in the past.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

Yea, GVA is the man to beat.

It's Canada and Gesink is there. GVA is the man only to beat for 2nd/3rd place

 

[Jagartrott]

Obvious Dumoulin win is obvious.
I know he isn't there, but he's so amazing nowadays I think he could actually take this.

 

[classicomano]

Re:

Obvious Dumoulin win is obvious.
I know he isn't there, but he's so amazing nowadays I think he could actually take this.

What do you mean nowadays, last year he was about 5 meters away from the victory.

Anyway Gesink has been training in North America for weeks to prepare these races, I expect big things.

 

[Jagartrott]

Let me explain the joke to you.
No wait, I can't be bothered.

 

[classicomano]

Re:

Let me explain the joke to you.
No wait, I can't be bothered.

It was a terrible joke.

 

[May0maniac]

Ulissi or Felline winning one of those races would be great.

 

[Lexman]

Re:

Obvious Dumoulin win is obvious.
I know he isn't there, but he's so amazing nowadays I think he could actually take this.

You forgot about Vino who will win both races...just to show Aru and Nibali a few things...

 

[Vesica]

The Dutchies are on fire those weeks, so it's time for Gesink (and Slagter) this time!

 

[Ruudz0r]

Re:

Ulissi or Felline winning one of those races would be great.

I expect quiet a bit from Felline here, he obviously has form and I think he wants to show something here that he gets protected during the Worlds which suit him very well!

 

[SKSemtex]

What a pity Sagan is not riding these two. This race is just perfect for him. 2013 edition was great to watch.

 

[BigMac]

What a pity Sagan is not riding these two. This race is just perfect for him. 2013 edition was great to watch.

The Montréal one I assume?

Because he had a mechanical in Québec on the final drag.

 

[classicomano]

What a pity Sagan is not riding these two. This race is just perfect for him. 2013 edition was great to watch.

The Montréal one I assume?

Because he had a mechanical in Québec on the final drag.

If you can call Gesinkphobia a mechanical then yes, he had a giant mechanical.

 

[BigMac]

What a pity Sagan is not riding these two. This race is just perfect for him. 2013 edition was great to watch.

The Montréal one I assume?

Because he had a mechanical in Québec on the final drag.

If you can call Gesinkphobia a mechanical then yes, he had a giant mechanical.

Iirc he did have a problem with his chain. Or maybe that was just a post-race interview excuse. Can't remember. Probably faded.

 

[SKSemtex]

He has been hunt down tlike dog. Completely burn out in the finale. But it was great racing from all team to stop him from winning it. Two days later he played " I am a tired game" for a first and the last time and that brouht him the win. I wish he can playthat game more times but that is just simply not in his character.

 

[BigMac]

Coverage on ES delayed because of the US Open. For some reason the race won't be live on British Eurosport, who rather show a recorded triathlon and some silly sports countdown.

Links to streams to be shared later.