On the back of a successful second place for Tom Dumoulin in the Tour of Alberta, Team Giant-Shimano go into the Canadian WorldTour races with big plans. Simon Geschke and Dumoulin will lead the team on the hilly courses that suit them well.

After a successful week of racing at the Tour of Alberta, Team Giant-Shimano continue their Canadian campaign at the GP Cycliste de Québec.

Simon Geschke finished ninth here last year and returns after a strong week of racing in Alberta together with Tom Dumoulin who also comes to this one-day WorldTour race.

Thierry Hupond, Daan Olivier, Tom Peterson and Georg Preidler also come to the race off the back of the six stage Alberta race, and are joined by Thomas Damuseau and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg.

The parcours covers a rolling 18.1km circuit 11 times, a circuit well suited to the climbers and puncheurs, and the team come with a strong line-up to challenge for a good result here.

Team Giant-Shimano coach Aike Visbeek said ahead of the race: "Simon proved last year that he can be there at the end of a race like this, and after another year of getting stronger he can target another strong ride here.

"Tom [Dumoulin] had a strong week at the Tour of Alberta and should also be able to play a role in this race. We have a strong team to support well with guys who can get over the climbs and we'll look to make a mark on the race."

Geschke added: "I have been feeling better every day but still think that there's a little bit of work to do before I am in shape to challenge for a good result in the two WorldTour races. Hopefully with some rest this week I will be in good shape."

The second in a double header of one-day WorldTour races in Canada is the GP Cycliste de Montréal on Sunday, featuring the same line-up as in Québec.

The race is very similar to the parcours of Québec, with a demanding profile that will draw out only the strongest riders with its tough climbs to be repeated lap after lap.

Simon Geschke will once again be after a strong result here and he will be looking to improve on his 19th place last year. Riders like Thomas Damuseau and Daan Olivier will also be key in supporting Geschke over the climbs, and deep into the final.

Aike Visbeek said: "We come here with the same team as Québec and with a similar goal for the race. It is a tough parcours that will draw out the strong riders.

"We will have a better idea of how everyone is going after the first race and will make a good plan on how to approach the race to use the strength of the team as best as possible."