Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) proved that he is back on track after his short return to mountain biking when he took a dominant first victory in the Grand Prix Quecec. In a dramatic finale, he used Anthony Roux (FDJ) as a lead-out man and then launched his sprint with 100m to go to just come around lone attacker Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale) with 50m to go. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) finished second and Roux held on for third.

 

Sagan: I am surprised to win as I didn’t prepare for this race

Peter Sagan bounced back in perfect fashion after withdrawing from his last race due to sickness by taking an emphatic win at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec today in Canada. Sagan rounded out a perfect team race from Tinkoff to sprint to his second Canadian WorldTour win after claiming the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in 2013.

 

“We started pulling from early on as we had a clear idea for the race – to try to win with Peter – even though we didn’t really know exactly how his form would be after Plouay,” explained Sport Director Patxi Vila after the race. “The guys stuck to the plan and worked really hard throughout the race and then Peter finished it off with an awesome sprint. I did think that Moscon might hold on at the end but it was a superb finish from Peter.”

 

An early eight rider move moved clear of the field, building up an advantage of several minutes, but the peloton, led by Tinkoff amongst other teams, was keeping a close eye on their gap. The repetitive rolling circuit gradually took its toll on the peloton as the pace increased with riders sliding off the back as the break’s advantage shrank. Then with 20km it all came back together, sparking a flurry of attacks.

 Despite a strong push from several small groups in the final kilometres, including a big solo effort that looked like it would take the victory, the race came back together as the sprint was launched. Perfect timing and a cool composure from Sagan saw him take a stunning win in front of the adorning public.

 

After the race, the UCI world champion said:

 

“After 200km the last kilometres were very fast. I saw Rigoberto in the front and I thought that we would maybe be playing for second place. In the end he slowed before the line as it was really hard. The guys from FDJ started early and that set the sprint up for me.

 

“I am very happy and must thank all my teammates as they worked really hard today. It was unbelievable because I didn’t feel very good during the race, and I was getting cramps in the legs but they passed and I’m really happy to take the win. For sure I didn’t expect that I could win today.

 

"I'm surprised because I didn't really prepare for theses races. After the Tour de France I trained for the mountain bike in Rio and then I was sick. There was some headwind in the last stretch and everybody who attacked in the end found it very hard. Rigoberto Uran tried the same as last year but it was different this time. The last three kilometers were very fast and when I saw Rigoberto in the front I told myself maybe we're going to sprint for second place. But there was a very fast sprint from Anthony Roux, he started early and pulled a good sprint for me. Thanks to him. My team-mates made a very good work today. I'm very happy to win because I didn't feel very good. I had cramps towards the end. It's too early to talk about Montréal, we had a race today, we'll take some rest tomorrow and then we'll see."

 

The action continues on Sunday with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, the second of the WorldTour double header, with nearly the same field as we saw in Québec. On a harder parcours the team will be watched closely, but after their display of strength today they can take confidence into the one-day race.

Vila continued:

 

“Sunday is another race, and it’s a harder parcours. Of course after today people will look to us but we know that it’s already a hard race so we’ll go out with the same objective, to win, and do our best together.”

 

Van Avermaet: It was a good idea to wait for the sprint

Greg Van Avermaet was back on the podium at GP Cycliste de Quebec after sprinting to second place behind winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) in a thrilling finale in Quebec City.

 

Solid teamwork from BMC Racing Team, including Brent Bookwalter’s move in a late chase group, kept leader Van Avermaet protected and positioned well going into the finale.

 

Van Avermaet launched his sprint with 200m to go but was unable to overtake Sagan before the line. It is Van Avermaet’s third time on the podium at GP Cyclist de Quebec.

 

Greg Van Avermaet said:

 

“I’m pretty happy with my result here. It’s a really hard race and it’s hard if you’re not here with the best form. I think Peter Sagan was a bit too strong today but I’m pretty happy with second place. It’s only my second race in four or five weeks so you’re always waiting a little bit to see how your body reacts until you start racing again and it’s good to be back.

 

“The last four laps were really hard and normally I always attack on the first climb but I had to hold myself back so I waited. I think Trentin and a few others made a big gap and I was just hoping that they would come back and I could do a good sprint. So I think it was a good decision to wait and go for my sprint, because other years I always try and then they catch me and then it’s hard to do a result in the end. So I just focused on the sprint and second is not the best place, but it’s not too bad.

 

“GP Cycliste de Montreal is an even harder race and I think today’s race suits me and Sagan a little bit better. I’m looking forward to it as it’s always nice to race here with the crowds.

 

"It's true that I didn't know what to expect because I only did one race since the Olympics. Usually, I attack in the last climb but this time I decided to wait for the last sprint. I think it was the right decision but Peter was simply too strong. Montréal is probably not a race that suits me as much because there are longer climbs. It's more for Peter I think. But these races are in any case the perfect preparation for the world championships even if my expectations for the worlds are not so high. The course that suited me was last year's in Richmond when Peter won. This time, it is more for pure sprinters."

 

Sports director Yvon Ledanois added:

 

“I’m very happy with today’s result from Greg Van Avermaet and the whole team. It was a tough race as always and the team did very well to protect Greg. We had Manuel Senni on the front for a lot of the day pulling the breakaway back, Brent Bookwalter jumped in one of the chase groups to neutralize the race, and of course Greg was kept out of trouble by all of our riders. Greg was very strong and after only one race day in the last month he still had good legs today. I think he can be happy with his result today and I’m looking forward to GP Cycliste de Montreal where we will race aggressively again.”

 

Roux surprised to be on the podium in star-studded race in Quebec

Anthony Roux (FDJ) was third. He said:

 

"It's very surprising. When I found myself in the last 100 metres, I was wondering what I was doing there. This morning, I was named as the leader of the team for this race. It doesn't happen to me often and I'm glad I was up to the task. I don't think I made a mistake. I decided to start the sprint from afar and see who would come past. I rode Montréal twice and I quit twice. It's a circuit that could suit me if it doesn't rain. It's more of a movement race, it doesn't often finish in a sprint. With the team we're going to approach it the same way."

 

Near-miss for defending champion Rigoberto Uran in Quebec

A small breakaway dominated the early action at GP Québec on Friday. Having shut down the move with three laps left to race, the peloton became animated in the build-up to the finale. There were several attacks, counter-attacks and little, short-lived breakaway attempts. Cannondale-Drapac stayed calm, cool and collected, patiently awaiting the last lap.

 

Rigoberto Urán won here last year with a late race flyer. Inside the final kilometer, he jumped. It worked for him once. Could it work for him again?

 

Yes, it could. It would. He looked good for the win. The peloton hadn’t reacted quickly enough and Urán was charging toward the line.

 

“He’s got this,” we thought.

 

“He’s going to go back-to-back,” we said.

 

And then…

 

Inside the final 100 metres, Peter Sagan accelerated. The world champion took the win. Caught, Urán faded. Alberto Bettiol charged across the line in fourth place.

 

What a heartbreaker.

 

Another top 5 for Matthew in Quebec

2016 Tour de France stage winner Michael Matthews came close in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec again today, finishing in fifth place from the reduced bunch sprint after numerous late attacks animated the finale.

 

ORICA-BikeExchange were ever present at the front of the race from the early kilometres, controlling the bringing back the breakaway before fresh attacks started anew as the speed intensified into the finale.

 

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) took the victory as the last attack was caught in the closing metres by the heavily reduced group of race favourites that included Matthews.

 

Sport director Laurenzo Lapage was pleased with the work and positive attitude of the team.

 

“The team did a great job today,” said Lapage. “After the breakaway went up the road so early our guys took up the responsibility of maintaining control and some good teamwork brought the race back together and kept Michael (Matthews) in a good position.

 

“The finale was fairly scrappy with many attacks and closures then more attacks, it is always a hard race here and we needed to adapt our approach for the finish.

 

“Michael did very well to achieve top five after coming from a little bit behind and in the end we got a good result after some excellent teamwork throughout the day. We look forward to Sunday now and another tough race.”

 

Haas close to victory in Montreal after missing time cut at the Vuelta

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka’s Canadian campaign kicked off today with the Grand Prix Cyclistes Québec. Nathan Haas finished the race in 6th place for our African team.

 

Nathan Haas said:

 

“I already came to Quebec last year. By then my health was really poor and I couldn’t deliver a result. However, I noticed that this course could suit me, if I was going to be in a good condition. Obviously dropping out of the Vuelta a Espana last week due to stomach issues was not what I had hoped for, as I would have liked to show myself there again in the final week, but it was nice that the team gave me the opportunity to come to Canada. I wanted to pay the trust back and the guys really helped me to do so today. They were always around me and got me up to the front in the end. I think I came as close as I could to a potential win. Maybe there were a few things that we could’ve done different but racing is racing and all the things have to come together to win. I still take a lot of confidence from today. As a team we’re excited to travel down to Montreal now. We’ll try to better today’s result on Sunday and hopefully get on the podium.”

 

Ulissi: I did well against these sprinters

LAMPRE-MERIDA's plan for the race was clear: no blue-fuchsia-green riders joined the 8 riders who attacked in the early kilometes of the course and led the race until three laps to go. In the penultimate lap, Mohoric was protagonist of the race by taking the leadership with 25 km to go and leading the race for 10 km while Rui Costa was attentive in a small group of first chasers.

In the finale, Rui Costa tried to be the reference point for Ulissi, who sprinted on the left side of the road, fighting against very fast riders to take seventh

"The race had two different moods: the first one was fairly slow, with the bunch easily controlling the breakaway; the second, in the last three laps, was hectic and with the higher speed,” Ulissi explained. “I'm satisfied with the way I acted in the final part of the race. It was not easy to be in the front positions on the final straight: I battled against sprinters, who were great in staying in front after the attacks which were made on the hills of the last lap".

Rui Costa demonstrated a good condition which he will ty to exploit on Sunday in the Gp Montreal, where he won in 2011 and was 2nd in 2015.

 

Mollema: The race was not hard enough

Bauke Mollema sprinted to 8th place in another beautiful and thrilling race that culminated on the sharp climb of Grande Allée in Old Québec.

 

The 16 laps of the stunning 12.6-kilometer Quebec City circuit played out in similar fashion as previous years; however, a headwind in the decisive part of the course presented a different outcome. 

 

"It was not hard enough because of the headwind on the climbs," said Mollema. "So it was a little bit of a dull race until three laps to go. I would have loved it to be harder. There was no point to attack earlier, every year people try, same as this year, but the climbs are so short that it always comes back together.

 

"I rode smart, saved energy, and started the climbs in front and dropped back, except for the last laps of course," pointed out Mollema, employing a strategy that Johan Museeuw used to win the World Championships in 1996.

 

In a mirror of 2015, Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale Drapac) attacked with 800 meters to go, but unlike the previous edition, he was unable to hold off the peloton charging behind and was caught less than 100 meters to go.

 

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) won the dramatic sprint over Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) with Anthony Roux (FDJ) rounding out the podium of the WorldTour event.

 

"There was a selection the third last time up the climb, but with two to go there is usually 50 guys dropped and with the headwind, it did not happen. It was quite a large bunch that started the last lap," explained director Kim Andersen. "With around one kilometer to go there was a gap from the group Bauke was in, to the front, and Jasper did a really good job to close that."

 

The 201.6-kilometer circuit race began as usual with an eight-man breakaway leaving the peloton early on to try its luck, but the escapees were easily brought back with three laps and just under 38 kilometers to go.

The final three laps were all business with constant attacks on the technical circuit and up the steep pitches, but everything was pulled back, and a large peloton began the final lap.

 

Even late attacks with just under two kilometers, ones that appeared to be winning moves, couldn't hold an advantage with the brisk breeze, but the pressure did split the bunch. When a serious gap opened ahead of Mollema and Stuyven in the last thousand meters, Stuyven sacrificed himself in a big effort to close it.

Cohesive teamwork notched Mollema a top 10.

 

"I was here to try and go for a result, and I wish I could have done this instead of exploding in the last 500 meters, but someone had opened a gap, and it happened that Bauke was there with me, and so I closed the gap," said Stuyven. "That meant for me it was over after that, but the good thing is that Bauke was still able to make a top 10."

 

Stuyven and Mollema were the protected leaders for the Quebec circuit, but the Montreal course suits climbers more than punchers, leaving Stuyven uncertain of his chances Sunday:

 

"I don't know what to expect for Sunday; they say it is harder, but then some Classics riders have been in the top 10. I think I can try and go there for a result as well, but it will depend on how the race will go.

 

"I like the circuit races, after one lap you know where you can relax a little more, where you have to be in front. This is the first time I have done Quebec, and I hope that I can come back for more."

 

Vakoc back on form with top 10 in Quebec

Julian Alaphilippe – who was riding the Canadian event for the third year in a row – slipped away inside the final 20 kilometers, took Luke Rowe (Team Sky) with him and kept pushing even after the Welshman got caught by the charging pack. His impressive move and valiant effort came to an end under the impetus of Tinkoff, but that didn't stop the 24-year-old Frenchman from having another go later in the race.

 

With around five kilometers left, Julian and teammate Matteo Trentin rolled the dice together with Gianni Moscon (Team Sky) and managed to put some daylight between them and the peloton, who didn't react immediately. At the bottom of the penultimate hill, Montée de la Fabrique (190 meters, 7%), the trio had around 15 seconds on the chasers, but everything came apart on Montée du Fort, the final climb of the day, where Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) made contact with the leaders and continued to surge away.

 

A frantic peloton came fast from behind and reabsorbed the Colombian rider 100 meters from the line, before sprinting for the win on the uphill drag to the line. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) edged out Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Anthony Roux (FDJ), while Petr Vakoč – who got in the mix for Etixx – Quick-Step – finished 9th, thus nabbing his 14th top 10 placing of the season, by far the most successful since turning pro.

 

"In the last lap of the race I was in the front, waiting for the right moment to make a move. When Matteo and Julian went, I continued to stay there, in order to slow down the chase, as their group had a good chance to stay ahead. The guys took a nice gap, but the bunch came back at crazy speeds and caught them with around one kilometer to go", said Vakoč, who rode the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec for the first time in his career. "Then, when Uran attacked, I tried to follow him, but couldn't close the gap and at that point my chances for a good sprint were compromised. But on Sunday, in Montreal, another race will come, and with it, another opportunity to go for a good result."

Kuznetsov confirms his potential on tough course in Quebec

The 7th Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec usually comes down to a field sprint and the seventh edition went along with tradition, with Team KATUSHA’s Viacheslav Kuznetsov taking tenth from the mass sprint won by current world champion Peter Sagan. It was a good result for Kuznetsov, 27, showing his form is still holding up in the latter part of the 2016 racing season.  

 

“My goal today was to be on the podium. The guys did a good job but I only managed to be in the top ten. I think this isn’t so bad for this part of the season, although I was definitely trying for something more. There is still another race in front of us on Sunday in Montréal and we have good guys for this race also - we will try again for a podium. In theory Montréal is not my type of race and we have good climbers in that race, like Simon Špilak and Ilnur Zakarin. I am feeling quite good on the climbs right now so I think I can help them, or if they don’t go so fast on the hills I will try to stay with the group in case it is a sprint. We will see on the day after tomorrow,” said Viacheslav Kuznetsov.

 

Kelderman gains confidence for Montreal after good ride in Quebec

LottoNL-Jumbo rider Wilco Kelderman finished 11th in the GP Quebec today behind winner Peter Sagan (Team Tinkoff). The world champion edged out Greg Van Avermaet (Team BMC) and Anthony Roux (FDJ) in a sprint after the 201-kilometre race.

 

The GP Quebec ran on a city circuit. The peloton had to cover 16 rounds, and right away, it rained attackes. LottoNL-Jumbo rider Twan Castelijns was in the escape of the day but the eight escapees never gained much of a lead on the pack.

 

"We wanted to be in the leading group. That worked out well with Twan Castelijns,“ said Sports Director Nico Verhoeven after the race. "The teams of the favorites worked hard behind them and they caught them with 50 kilometres to race. A classic finale with attacks from the top riders followed. 

 

"Timo Roosen rode a beautiful finale. He even jumped to join Moscon, Trentin and Alaphilippe, who were leading in the last kilometre. It is a pity that Wilco was not properly in position because he would at least had a top 10."

 

The other LottoNL-Jumbo riders hid in the peloton to ride a good final. Leader Wilco Kelderman was well protected. Kelderman came up short in the power sprint at the Grande Allée against guys like Sagan and Van Avermaet, and had to settle for a place just outside the top ten.

 

"I wanted to wait. Last year, I went too early in the attack on the flat roads towards the final climbs,” said Kelderman. "It was a super stuffy day, and we also had a bit of trouble with jet lag. But in the final, I felt good. I started the sprint too far behind and could not get into the top ten. It is a true classic and it is important to keep in position, and I'm not so good at that. This also is because it is a race for explosive men. The real classic riders. Just look at the top two."

 

Kelderman left satisfied with his 11th place. He is looking forward to the next WorldTour race in Montreal on Sunday, which should suit him better.

 

"Montreal is still a better race for me than Quebec," said Kelderman. "I raced in Quebec for a top ten. Perhaps, I can make it into the top five or maybe top three in Montreal.“

 

Lotto Soudal look to Montreal after Quebec disappointment

Pretty soon six riders managed to create a gap and among them was Lars Bak. Two riders bridged from the peloton. With 150 kilometres to go, the break was about to be reeled in. Lars Bak didn’t want that to happen just yet and attacked. With four laps to go the Danish rider of Lotto Soudal was caught and the finale could start. Many riders including Sean De Bie, tried to grab their chance to attack and stay away but the high pace of the bunch impeded that. Tim Wellens and Tiesj Benoot finished just out of the top ten and were fourteenth and eighteenth.

 

Lotto Soudal sports director Herman Frison looks back at the race. Although he hoped for a top ten place, he’s happy about the efforts of the team today and he’s already looking forward to Sunday.

 

“The race evolved like it does every year and like I expected it would be. Six to seven riders were in the front. Fortunately for us Lars Bak was part of the break and the team didn’t have to work in the bunch. Bak tried to stay away as long as possible and that’s why he attacked from the front group when they were about to be reeled in. The longer he could stay in the front, the better it was for his teammates in the peloton. He knew he wasn’t going to win but he gave everything he had and did a wonderful job for the team. At the end it was once again a sprint. That’s where the best riders distinguish themselves of the tired ones.

 

“We hoped for a top ten result but that wasn’t the case. With 180 riders at the start of the race it’s difficult to finish in the top ten but it was our goal. Of course we shouldn’t panic for Sunday. We will just try again. I still believe that my riders can do a good job then. For Sunday I hope that the weather will be bad just like last year because that increases our chances.”

 

Guillaume Boivin impresses for national team in Quebec

Guillaume Boivin (Canada's National Team) was the best-placed Canadian. He said: 

 

"I opted for the same strategy as Peter Sagan to try and save strength for the finale. I had a slight problem in the last bump and my feet slid off the pedals. But I fought hard and I'm happy with my race. It's a morale booster to see that with so little training I managed to do well and that the ten days of work I did paid off. I was as serious as I could. I gave it 110 pc and I’m happy with the result. Nobody can be surprised by seeing Peter Sagan win here. I rode to years with him with Cannondale and we have seen very few guys like this in cycling. I was in his team when he won in Montréal. We share great memories together."

 

Fabio Aru takes another solid step in Quebec

“After the positive race day at Fourmies last Sunday, we did another good step to gain the best condition,” commented Fabio Aru after the finish.

 

“I’ve tried with three laps to go with few other riders and the attack was good, high speed on the climb and good rhythm,” continued the Italian. “Unfortunately there was not a great collaboration and so it wasn’t possible to continue that attack.

 

“I’m satisfied with my today performance and I’m pretty confident for the next race here in Canada: the Gran Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Sunday, that on the profile is harder than today.”

 

The Astana Pro Team guys did a good GP de Quèbec today, putting a man, Valerio Agnoli, in the attack that characterized the day, and keeping the front positions of the bunch with captain Fabio Aru who did couple of attacks and finished in the front group.

 

Geschke: I didn’t have the legs

Simon Geschke finished 31st for Giant-Alpecin. Sam Oomen was just behind

 

After the race, coach Aike Visbeek told: “The plan was to go for Simon today, to protect him and then drop him off at the foot of the climb. We had some guys who were not 100% fit, but we made a good plan. The guys stayed calm the whole race and when it mattered they delivered good teamwork.

 

“Simon was protected the whole day and they delivered him and Sam in a perfect position on the Col de la Montagne. Then in the final Sam positioned Simon in the top 10, but Simon didn’t have something extra for the sprint. Results-wise, we aimed for more but the team did a really good job in delivering Simon in the best way possible.”

 

Geschke added: “I can be very short today – the team did a great job to deliver me into the last kilometre. The guys also put me in a good spot before the steep climb, but in the end I did not have the legs to sprint.”

 

Near-miss for Moscon in Quebec

Gianni Moscon's brave attack almost paid off at the Grand Prix de Quebec, with the young Italian caught inside the final kilometre.

 

Team Sky put on an attacking show in Canada as the WorldTour event entered its final 40 kilometres.

Luke Rowe, Geraint Thomas and Moscon all tried their luck off the front as laps of the gruelling 12.6-kilometre circuit were ticked off.

 

After a big turn from Philip Deignan to move him into position, Moscon used the Cote de la Montagne climb as a springboard, jumping clear alongside a pair of Etixx - Quick-Step riders. Despite attacking again and going clear, he was hauled back on the climb to the finish, with the peloton eventually sprinting it out for the win.

 

Team Sky were content to sit in the pack for much of the 201.6km, but with 40km to go it was Rowe who kicked things off, combining with Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx - Quick-Step) to spend almost a lap out front.

 

Thomas and Moscon were alert to the moves that followed, with both riders also trying again on the final lap.

 

Beautiful comeback for Malori in Quebec

World champion Peter Sagan (TNK) won the sprint in the GP Québec after a very open race with lots of attacks where the Movistar Team fought with Anacona, Jasha Sütterlin  - the best of the  blues in the top-30 -  and Jesus Herrada who crashed without consequences 9 km from the finish

 

The best news, however, was the return to competition, after 231 days, for Adriano Malori who worked on the front of the peloton for 80km before paying for his excellent effort on the first day of competition after almost eight months.

 

Bora-Argon 18: We almost delivered the surprise

The break of the day went away early in the race. After some kilometers, an eight-rider group including BORA – ARGON 18's rider Jan Barta, got clear from the peloton. Barta was very present in front of the race and was able to win numerous mountain points. In the end he took the mounatin classifiacation of the day.

 

With two laps to go Andreas Schillinger was in a promising 14-rider group at the head of the race, before Paul Voss tried to go solo on the last lap. Until 5k to go, the win was within reach for BORA - ARGON 18 today. But the peace of the bunch was to high for one rider to survive at the front on his own.

 

BORA - ARGON 18 riders Voss and Bennett crossed the line in 51st and 52nd place.

 

"We really wanted to try everything today here in Canada, the home of our sponsor Argon18. I think we did pretty well having Jan in the break and then we played a role in the final with Andreas and Paul. It's a pity that the resut in the end does not represent those efforts today. Not much was missing to surprise today and score a top result. But now we head to Montreal and we will try again something, that's for sure,” said Christian Pömer, sports director.