Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal: A tough test on the road to the World Championships

​When the world’s elite take to the start line at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Sunday, there is far more at stake than just another victory on the WorldTour calendar. With the Road World Championships in Montréal just under two weeks away, this historic Canadian one-day race is seen as the final major opportunity to assess form. On a course that suits the type of rider likely to excel in the upcoming title decider, the favourites have the opportunity to test their form, tactics and the competition once again under race conditions.

The route of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal

The route of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal has for years been one of the most demanding courses on the WorldTour calendar. Whilst it lacks long Alpine passes or extreme elevation gains, the circuit – with its numerous short but gruelling climbs – demands peak performance from the riders over several hours of racing. At the heart of the course is the climb up to the Côte Camillien-Houde, which could see the field steadily whittled down lap after lap. Added to this are further undulations and changes of direction that constantly disrupt the rhythm of the race, bringing particularly powerful classics specialists and explosive climbers to the fore.

As is so often the case, the final stages will prove decisive. The 16th and final lap also takes the riders over the Côte Camillien-Houde and then up the rising home straight on Avenue du Parc. After a race covering 214.4 kilometres and 4,303 metres of climbing, even a difference of just a few seconds in pacing can be enough to tip the balance between victory and defeat – at least as long as no single breakaway rider secures the win well in advance. Pure sprinters traditionally stand little chance on this terrain, whilst climbers and GC contenders with good finishing speed regularly battle it out for victory.

This is another reason why the race is an excellent barometer for the upcoming World Championships. Anyone who performs well in Montréal can harbour justified hopes of competing for the coveted rainbow jersey on similar terrain just a few weeks later.

Favourites: Del Toro and Evenepoel lead a star-studded field

The challenging course of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is particularly suited to climbers and stage race specialists with a fast finish. The list of favourites is consequently packed with top-class riders. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) is considered one of the main contenders for victory. The young Mexican definitively cemented his status as a future team leader with a third-place finish at this year’s Tour de France and could celebrate another major victory in his still-young career in Montréal.

However, del Toro faces high-profile competition in the form of Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe). The Belgian proved himself to be one of the strongest riders in the peloton at the Tour de France and possesses precisely the qualities required on this selective circuit: climbing prowess, explosive power and the ability to win even from smaller groups. Another of the most exciting names in the field is Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team). The Frenchman, aged just 19, has proven time and again this season that he can already hold his own against the world’s best riders.

The challengers

​Alongside del Toro, other riders from the UAE squad are potential contenders for the top places. Tim Wellens, winner of the Montréal race in 2015, is likely to be a stronger contender for victory than Adam Yates, who won the race in 2023. Whilst Wellens, with his experience and aggression, is always capable of launching a decisive attack, Yates is more likely to be counted amongst the wider circle of favourites. Last year’s winner, Brandon McNulty, is making his racing comeback after having to withdraw from this year’s Tour due to illness. His chances of victory are likely to be rather slim.

For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Matteo Jorgenson will have the best chance of victory. The American combines endurance and climbing ability with strong racing intelligence and should cope very well on this demanding course. Lidl – Trek is fielding several strong contenders in the form of Juan Ayuso, Giulio Ciccone and Quinn Simmons. Ayuso and Ciccone, in particular, have the profile to tackle the decisive climbs alongside the best, whilst Simmons, who finished third last year, is likely to look for his chances through an attacking race strategy.

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) is also one to watch. The Briton has been one of the most well-rounded one-day specialists in the peloton for years and possesses the finishing speed needed to succeed even when breaking away from small groups. Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla) has established himself as a favourite with strong performances at this year’s Tour de France, including a stage win. Whilst his team-mate Michael Matthews brings a wealth of experience to this type of race, he is likely to have only an outside chance against the younger competition.

Our insider tip

Anthon Charmig (Uno-X Mobility) is considered a dark horse. The Dane regularly demonstrates his great potential, but often fails to attract attention due to the limited media coverage his team receives. Nor should Ben Healy (EF Education – EasyPost) be written off, despite his mixed results in recent weeks. The Irishman has already proven on several occasions that he excels in tough one-day races. Rounding off the group of favourites is Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling Team). The Swiss rider has the right skills for the circuit, but will likely need an absolutely top-class performance to pull off a major victory.

All in all, there are many indications that this will be a head-to-head battle between Del Toro and Evenepoel. However, given the exceptional concentration of top-class riders in the field, surprises in Montréal cannot be ruled out.