GP Montreal
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal made its debut on September 12, 2010, just two days after the inaugural Québec race. It was designed to bring a mountain-style one-day classic to North America and to showcase cycling’s elite in Montréal’s iconic Mount Royal Park. The first edition was won by Robert Gesink of the Netherlands, whose decisive solo attack on the final lap cemented the event’s reputation as one of the toughest single-day tests on the calendar.
The Montréal race is built on a gruelling circuit around Mont Royal, a route steeped in cycling history from the 1974 World Championships and the 1976 Olympic Games. Riders complete 18 laps of a 12.3 kilometre loop, each one including the long Côte Camillien-Houde climb. Over the full distance the race amasses nearly 4,800 metres of elevation gain, a figure comparable to a major mountain stage in the Tour de France. The final kilometre rises steadily toward the line on Avenue du Parc, making it a contest for climbers and resilient all-rounders who can still summon a sprint after hours of attrition.
The honour roll reflects the race’s prestige. Greg Van Avermaet claimed two wins in 2016 and 2019, showcasing his Olympic champion pedigree. Tadej Pogačar has matched that feat with victories in 2022 and 2024, adding Canadian success to his list of Grand Tour triumphs. Peter Sagan, a three-time world champion, also counts Montréal among his victories with a powerful sprint in 2013. Australia’s Simon Gerrans took victory in 2014 and became the first rider to secure the Laurentian Classics double that same year. With its demanding profile and star-studded winners list, the GP Montréal stands as one of the most respected and challenging races outside Europe.
