Strong contingent of North American riders set to compete in the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal 2018
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 21, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Some have featured in Grand Tours and one-day Classics races. Others are veterans of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal (GPCQM) or have multiple appearances in national-level events to their credit. They've won races and stages all over the world, and many are at the top of the "Best Young Rider" rankings. They are North American cycling's emerging generation! As the only event on the UCI WorldTour race calendar in the Americas, the GPCQM have, since their inception, made it their duty and pleasure to invite the continent's best young riders to compete. In 2018, 14% riders come from North America. In keeping with that tradition, Team Canada will once again be entered in these two city races. In addition, the two UCI Professional Continental teams recently announced as wild-card entries, Israel Cycling Academy and Rally Cycling, include a number of Canadian and U.S. riders in their ranks, who will be looking to put in good performances with the WorldTeams looking on. Lastly, UCI WorldTour squads Team EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale, Astana Pro Team and Team Sunweb also feature North American cyclists.
Until a few years ago, elite-level road cycling was much more of a European phenomenon. But the GPCQM have certainly helped globalize the discipline, as well as serving as an outstanding showcase for local riders. "Our races have proved their worth and built great visibility on the international stage," says GPCQM Executive Vice-President Marcel Leblanc. "The WorldTour riders love coming to Québec and meeting the fans here. They appreciate our great hospitality services. And, of course, they're always excited to tackle our great courses! It's only natural for us to give the next generation of athletes, as well as North American riders looking to break through, that same experience and provide them with a very special opportunity to perform alongside the world's cycling elite, on their home turf here in North America. If competing in Québec can make a difference in their career, we will be pleased and proud to have played a part," he adds.
The following North American riders are confirmed for the GPCQM. The rest of the field, including the leading cyclists of the WorldTour, will be announced shortly.
*SOURCE: https://www.procyclingstats.com
ISRAEL CYCLING ACADEMY (ISR)
Guillaume Boivin (Québec, CAN, age 29): Top Canadian in the 2017 and 2016 Québec City GP, 2nd in the 2017 Tour of Taihu Lake, runner-up in the general classification of the 2017 Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay and 3rd in 2015, 2nd in the 2017 Coppa Bernocchi, winner of the 2015 Canadian National Championships Road Race, 2nd in the 2012 Albert Achterhes Pet Ronde van Drenthe, 3rd in the 2012 Tro-Bro Léon. Has ridden 3 Grand Tours and 2 Classics.
Benjamin Perry (Ontario, CAN, age 24): Runner-up in the 2018 Canadian National Championships Road Race, best climber in the 2018 Tour de Beauce, stage winner and 3rd in the general classification of the 2017 Baltic Chain Tour, runner-up in the general classification of the 2016 GP Saguenay, best climber in the 2015 Tour of Alberta, best climber 2016 GP Montreal.
RALLY CYCLING TEAM (USA)
Ryan Anderson (Alberta, CAN, age 31): Top Canadian in the 2014 Québec City GP, runner-up in the 2016 Poly Normande, runner-up in the 2015 Canadian National Championships Road Race. Has ridden 1 Grand Tour and 5 Classics.
Robert Britton (Saskatchewan, CAN, age 33): Winner in the general classification of the 2017 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, winner in the GC of the 2018 and 2015 Tour of the Gila, winner of a stage of the 2017 Tour of Utah, 3rd in the general classification of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge, runner-up in the 2014 Tour de Beauce.
Matteo Dal-Cin (Ontario, CAN, age 27): Winner of the 2017 Canadian National Championships Road Race, winner of a stage of the 2017 Tour de Beauce, winner of a stage of the 2017 Tour of the Gila, winner in the general classification of the 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay.
Adam De Vos (British Columbia, CAN, age 24): Winner of a stage of the 2018 Tour de Langkawi, winner of the 2018 White Spot / Delta Road Race, 4th in 2018 Canadian Nation Road Race Championships, winner of the 2017 Int. Raiffeisen Grand Prix Judendorf/Straßengel, runner-up in the general classification of the 2017 Joe Martin Stage Race.
Nigel Ellsay (British Columbia, CAN, age 29): 3rd in the 2018 Canadian National Championships Road Race and runner-up in 2017, best climber in the 2017 Tour de Beauce, runner-up in the general classification of the 2016 Joe Martin Stage Race p/b Nature Valley.
Colin Joyce (Idaho, USA, age 24): Winner of the second stage of the 2018 Arctic Race of Norway, runner-up in the 2018 Winston-Salem Cycling Classic, 4th in the general classification of the 2018 Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, 3rd in the general classification of the 2015 GP Liberty Seguros-Troféu Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina.
Brandon McNulty (Arizona, USA, age 20): 7th in the general classification of the 2018 Amgen Tour of California, 2016 Junior World Time Trial Champion, runner up in 2017 U23 World Time Trial Championships, 3rd in the general classification of the 2018 and 2017 Tour Alsace, winner of the 2016 Tour d'Abitibi and runner-up in 2015, winner of the 2016 Trofeo Karlsberg, winner of the 2015 Course de la Paix Juniors.
ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ)
Hugo Houle (Québec, CAN, age 27) has been riding the WorldTour since 2012: 8th in the general classification of the 2018 Tour of Danmark, winner of the 2015 Canadian National Championships ITT and runner-up in 2014, runner-up in the 2016 and 2012 Tour de Beauce, best climber in the 2012 Coupe des Nations Ville Saguenay. Has ridden 3 Grand Tours and 17 Classics.
TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE (USA)
Nathan Brown (Colorado, USA, age 27) has been riding the WorldTour since 2014: Winner of the 2013 Tour de Beauce, winner of the 2011 USA National Championships TT, winner of the 2008 Coupe des Nations Abitibi. Has ridden 5 Grand Tours and 2 Classics.
Lawson Craddock (Texas, USA, age 26) has been riding the WorldTour since 2014: 3rd in the general classification of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, 2nd of the 2011 USA National Championships TT. Has ridden 4 Grand Tours and 5 Classics.
Logan Owen (Washington, USA, age 23) has been riding the WorldTour since 2018: Winner of the 2016 Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23.
TEAM SUNWEB (GER)
Chad Haga (Texas, USA, age 29) has been riding the WorldTour since 2014: Runner-up in the 2018 USA National Championships ITT, runner-up in the general classification of the 2013 Volta ao Alentejo/Crédito Agricola Costa Azul, 3rd in the general classification of the 2011 Tour Of Elk Grove. Has ridden 8 Grand Tours and 4 Classics.
TEAM CANADA (CAN)
Alex Cataford (Ontario, CAN, age 24): 3rd in the 2018 Canadian National Championships ITT and winner in 2013, runner-up in the general classification of the 2016 Tour of the Gila, 10th in general classification at the 2018 Colorado Classic.
Pier-André Côté (Québec, CAN, age 21): Winner of two stages at the 2018 Tour de Beauce, Canadian Criterium champion in 2017 and 3rd in 2018, 5th stage 3 at the 2018 Colorado Classic, 3rd in the 2017 Canadian National Championships Road Race.
Bruno Langlois (Québec, CAN, age 39): 2016 Canadian National Road Race Champion. Best climber in the 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay, winner stage 3 at the 2018 Tour de Guadeloupe.
James Piccoli (Québec, CAN, age 26): Winner of stage 4 and the general classification of the 2018 Tour de Beauce, 7th in the general classification 2018 Colorado Classic.
Adam Roberge (Québec, CAN, age 21): 2018 and 2017 U23 National Champion in the ITT.
Edward Walsh (Nova Scotia, CAN, age 21): 2018 U23 National Champion in the Road Race.
Nicolas Zukowsky (Québec, CAN, age 20): 2018 Canadian champion in the Criterium. 2nd place at the 2018 & 2017 Canadian National Championships in the ITT.
ABOUT THE #GPCQM
The Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, the only UCI WorldTour events presented in the Americas, contribute to fulfilling one of the primary objectives of the International Cycling Union (UCI): the globalization of the WorldTour circuit. These tour stops are in addition to the existing, officially sanctioned events in Europe and Oceania. Since 2010, the organization has been responsible for the planning and conduct of the GPCQM and counts on the invaluable support of public and private partners: the Government of Canada, the Gouvernement du Québec, the city of Québec, the city of Montréal, the National Battlefields Commission, Québec City Tourism, Tourisme Montréal, Québecor, Air Transat, and TVA Sports (official GPCQM broadcaster).
SOURCE Événements GPCQM
Véronique Lavoie, Head Media Relations, C. 514 554-2161, [email protected]
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