On Thursday, it’s a big day for Canadian cycling fans. Sure, the elite races on the weekend will be bangers—including Saturday, where Sherbrooke, Que.’s Magdeleine Vallières Mill is set to defend her crown.

But tomorrow, it could be a big day for the Canadian team.

It’s a helluva course—attrition will be a factor, as the 135-km race covers 10 laps and packs more than 2,600 m of elevation into the course. The repeated climb through the Camilien-Houde section should gradually wear down the field, and there should be small groups by the finish.

Isabella Holmgren and Team Canada

Isabella Holmgren—six-time world champ in both cross and MTB—is a clear favourite. The course suits the climber, who has shone this year racing amongst the elites. She has levelled up on the road since 2025, being in the mix with the big guns at races like the Tour de France Femmes, the Giro d’Italia Women and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Why Isabella Holmgren is Canada’s best hope for rainbow jersey in Montreal

She’s got her sister Ava, who had a great TT earlier this week and will be a great lieutenant, a super-domestique for her. Remember last year? She was bummed she couldn’t be there for her twin as she was ill. But Canada could have a two-pronged approach to the race with another star climber, Sidney Swierenga, who has won her first elite stage race and has been phenomenal when it comes to climbing.

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Could she maybe try a Magdeleine Vallières Mill move and get up the road and fend off any chasers? Either way, Team Canada has two aces to play. The superstar squad also has Alexandra Volstad and Kiara Lylyk there to mark moves. Both Volstad and Lylyk have also had awesome seasons.

Other contenders

France’s team is led by Marion Bunel. Last year, her job was to help Célia Gery. This year, she can ride for herself.

Felicity Wilson-Haffenden won the TT on Monday, but riders such as Paula Ostiz, Nienke Vinke and especially Cat Ferguson are worth watching.

It’s going to be a great race no matter what—the action begins on CBC Gem at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and Canadian Cycling Magazine is on the streets of Montreal reporting and interviewing all the Canucks there racing for glory.