The first of the two Canadian appointments of the World Tour, the GP Québec, took place yesterday. At the end of the 16 laps of the 12,6 km circuit under the Chateau Frontenac, the most characteristic building of the old city of Québec City, Diego Ulissi gave LAMPRE-MERIDA the best result in the 6th edition of the Canadian race, obtaining 5th place (the previous best performance was 6th for Ulissi in 2012).

The plot of the race was fairly predictable: six riders (which later became five: De Vos, Roth, Quemeneur, Benedetti and Lapthorne) escaped from the bunch in the early kilometers, but they did not manage to defend the maximum advantage of 9'10" in the central part of the race, when also the blue-fuchsia-green jersey appeared in the front position of the peloton.

Rui Costa, wearing the Portuguese national champion jersey, was the first rider from LAMPRE-MERIDA to enter the action in the final lap, when the main breakaway had been neutralized, following a move of Van Avermaet and Kristoff. The bunch, with no more than 60 members, reacted and neutralized the attempt, Meanwhile Ulissi began to recover positions, reaching the first part of the group.

A few meters after having passed the red kite, Uran attacked from the front of the peloton and he succeeded in defending 10 meters of advantage: the chase of the group was unsuccessful, despite a very long sprint in which Ulissi battled against very fast riders like Matthews (2nd), Kristoff (3rd) and Slagter (4th).

"The plan for the race we had made with sports  director Pedrazzini was good and the race confirmed that the choice to ride in the middle of the bunch for most of the laps was the best one," Diego Ulissi explained. "The course, in fact, was favourable for the chasers when the pace of the bunch would be increased.

"In the final lap, my legs were still good. Also thanks to the support of my team mates I recovered positions and I was in the front of the peloton for the sprint, in which I battled for a place on the podium against very fast riders.

"Uran deserved the victory, he attacked in the best moment and he had the energy to reach the finish line."