ORICA-GreenEDGE will return to Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal this Friday and Sunday, looking to defend their title at the one-day races.

 

Last year, Simon Gerrans became the first rider in history to win the Canadian double and despite the 35-year-old being unavailable whilst riding at the Vuelta a Espana, the Australian outfit has plenty of options to draw from.

 

Recent Tour of Alberta stage winner Michael Matthews showed his return to form after a Tour de France rib injury, whist Magnus Cort and Michael Albasini also offer punchy options.

 

If the race gets a little too tough, British twins Adam and Simon Yates are formidable performers for ORICA-GreenEDGE

 

“We have a strong team,” sport director Laurenzo Lapage said. “We will for sure be going for a win in one of the races, I’m even thinking about both again.

 

“We have different cards to play – with Matthews, the Yates boys and Albasini in particular – so we will have different tactics for both races.”

 

Lapage said positioning in the closing stages of both races is crucial in order to go for a result.

 

“Positioning in the final five kilometres of Quebec is really crucial,” he said.

 

“For Montreal, the final climb just after the riders pass the finish line for one lap to go is the moment. You have to follow all the big guys if you are going to be there for the win.”

 

ORICA-GreenEDGE at to Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal (11 and 13 September):

Michael Albasini
Simon Clarke
Magnus Cort
Michael Matthews
Christian Meier 
Pieter Weening
Adam Yates
Simon Yates