Etixx - Quick-Step has announced the selection that will participate in both Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, which take place on the 11th of September, and the 13th of September, respectively.

Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec is a 16-lap circuit of 12.6km for a total of 201.6km. It is a course for climbers and skilled descenders, and also includes an uphill finale. The climbs of the race include Cote de la Montagne (375m, 10% average gradient), Cote de la Potasse/Des Glacis (420m at 9% average gradient), Montee de la Fabrique/Des Jardins (190m, 7% average gradient), and Montee du Fort/Saint Louis/Grande Allee (1km, 4% average gradient).

Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal consists of 17-laps, covering 12.1km each for a total of 205.7km. There are three challenging climbs: Cote Camilien-Houde (1.8km, 8% average gradient) Cote de la Polytechnique (780m, 6% average gradient) — which also has a ramp of 200m at 11% — and Avenue du Parc (560m at 4% gradient). The race finishes on the aforementioned third climb.

"I would like to do well," UCI World Road Champion Michal Kwiatkowski said. "I believe these races are the best way to prepare the world championships in Richmond. I don't have the best memories from the past here. I've been unable to finish in Quebec and then in Montreal in past participations. But I'm super motivated. I trained hard to be in good shape for September. Everything is going in the right direction. I will see how the legs react. These classics suit me and racing in Canada is really a pleasure."

"First of all, I'm happy to be here after my crash on the Tour de France," Tony Martin said. "I was curious, because I've ever never been here before. We thought that those races were the best way to be in condition for the worlds. We have a very strong team, with three of four riders who can win these races. We're going to try to play our cards. Bur we're not here only for the preparation of the worlds. We're here for good results. For me, it'll be a nice test to see how my sensations are. I'm going to try to get a good result. But I'll also support the one-day riders in my team, who should be more at ease than me on these kinds of parcours. I'm looking forward to racing."

Etixx roster for GP Montreal and GP Quebec:
Julian Alaphilippe, Tom Boonen, Michal Kwiatkowski, Yves Lampaert, Tony Martin, Rigoberto Uran, Stijn Vandenbergh and Julien Vermote.