Despite needing the narrowest of margins to do so, Australian cyclist Michael Matthews of Team Sunweb won the 2018 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Sunday, concluding the two-day cycling event in Québec City and Montréal.
The race took place at Park Avenue, Montréal in front of large crowds within touching distance from the riders as they did 16 laps of Mount Royal for a total of 200 km. The race featured 3,700 meters of vertical ascent, roughly equivalent to the highest peak in Canada and would take Matthews five hours and four minutes to complete.
It was the ninth edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and the 33rd event of the 2018 UCI World Tour.
The race appealed to first year engineering student at Carleton University, Émile Farrell-Dessureault. A provincial level mountain biker in his spare time, Émile took his Saturday off to go to the race.
“Riders go incredibly fast, the vibe is awesome, you are super close to the action and it was interesting to see how Canadians were able to hold up against international cyclists.” Émile told the Charlatan after the race.
Leaving the final turn, it seemed Matthews had left too late but came around Sonny Colbrelli of team Bahrain-Merida to win, adding to his Grand Prix Quebec City title from Friday.
In cycling, lower threat riders will be allowed to gain an advantage early into races if the risk of them staying away is low. These breakaway opportunities have strict criteria in which only certain teams can be represented. These riders must not be threatening and will only be given a certain allowance of time over the peloton.
An early breakaway of five riders, including four Canadian riders, went up the road to the delight of the crowd. Charlés-Etienne Chretien, the race’s youngest rider, Montreal local Adam Roberge, seasoned world tour veteran Hugo Houle, and North American rising star Nigel Ellsay.
Ellsay spoke with the Charlatan before the race.
“The team’s goal will be to get into the break, definitely, as one of the smaller teams it’s important to represent in the early break.” Ellsay said.
His team, Rally Pro Cycling, is in pro cycling’s second division. Every world tour event requires all 17 world tour teams to be in attendance but opens the door for three teams from lower levels to race.
As a result of the race being in Canada, the teams invited featured Canadian pros like Rally Pro Cycling and Israel Cycling Academy. The third team invited was a Canadian National team made up of riders competing in pro cycling’s second and third divisions.
The breakaway had two riders from the Canadian national team. This program exists only for this race, in past years, it’s featured young riders who have developed into high-level pros. Among them are Ellsay and Israel Cycling Academy’s Ben Perry.
“This race is huge for Canadians, not only for me being one of the lucky few who’s been able to do these races but also for the young Canadians on the sidelines who have been watching and cheering and seeing the race, seeing what it’s like and the fanfare.” Perry told the Charlatan before the race.
The atmosphere around the race was cosmopolitan, ranging from cycling fans both young and adult to non-cycling fans as well. Not many years ago, Adam Roberge and Charles-Etienne Chrétien were among those watching.
On Sunday, they were riding in the break, in a few years, they may have the talent of pros such as Ellsay and Perry. All this shows the talent Canada has at this sport and how much this race has to offer for everyone.
Provided photo
