CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious are set to compete in the 15th Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and Montreal, taking place today and Sunday, respectively, in Canada.
The Quebec event will be held on the city circuit of Plaines d’Abraham over 20 laps, where the Cote de la Montagne poses the main challenge, alongside a technical descent and tight corners.
In the 206-kilometre one-day race, a constant positioning battle will see riders cover 2,780 metres of elevation, usually culminating in a reduced bunch sprint for Classics specialists.
Following that explosive opener, riders face a tougher test in Montreal around the Universite de Montreal circuit. It promises to be a significantly more demanding race, with riders tackling 4,304m of elevation across 16 laps covering 214.4km.
Climbers have tended to excel in recent editions, and the Cote Camillien-Houde serves as an ideal rehearsal for those targeting the rainbow jersey at the upcoming UCI Road World Championships on September 27.
Bahrain Victorious’ team leader Afonso Eulalio said: “After the Giro, I took time to rest and reset both physically and mentally.
Together with the team, we built a solid plan for the second and final phase of the season.
“It is an intense month ahead; I feel extremely motivated, ready, and strong for the challenge.”
“Now, we are going all-in for this final month, starting in Canada with Quebec and Montreal. We have a very strong squad going for it by preparing impeccably under the best possible conditions, so we will see how things unfold.”
“The team is in great form at the moment, and we are heading to both races with 100 per cent motivation.”
“Quebec is a more open race, whereas Montreal will be tougher and quite similar to the world championships, making it a great recon opportunity. Both are long, hard, and punchy Classics with short climbs – precisely the kind of racing I enjoy most.”
“We’re ready to give it our all and enjoy the challenge.”
Eulalio will take the helm for both races, with Alessandro Borgo acting as co-leader in Quebec should the race come down to a reduced bunch sprint.
Edoardo Zambanini is back on familiar ground after previously securing a top-10 finish in both events in 2024.
Nikias Arndt and Robert Stannard bring invaluable experience to the squad, while Oliver Stockwell, Alec Segaert, and Borgo are among the debutants completing the Bahrain Victorious roster in Canada, offering crucial support across different phases of the racing.
Bahrain Victorious’ sports director Aart Vierhouten commented: “We head to Canada with a very strong lineup for both races. Quebec is typically a more open affair, but it’s worth noting that this year’s edition features a revised course. The loop was shortened to 10km instead of 12km, meaning less recovery time between efforts and a harder race overall with climbing legs tested on every lap. Because of that reduced recovery, it is less likely to favour pure sprinters this time around.
“Ultimately, the race will be shaped by the riders and the team tactics. Our primary focus in Quebec City is on two riders: Afonso and Alessandro. Both are in great condition and travelling to Canada with high morale, backed by a strong support team tailored to this terrain.
“In Montreal, we will race with a single leader in Afonso. The circuit suits his profile exceptionally well. The climb is steep enough to drop many riders, but not so extreme that only pure general classification contenders remain.
“Rather than a steady elimination race where riders get shelled off the back every lap under a brutal tempo, I expect a slightly lower pace and a more chaotic, tactical environment.
“Our main tactical objective will be maintaining complete control and concentration throughout. We cannot afford to lose grip on the race early or miss key breakaways before the finale. It presents a fantastic opportunity for us and our riders to race assertively.”