The end of the season is coming closer but it’s far from over yet. Like previous years the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal are scheduled in September. The races will take place on Friday September 9 and Sunday September 11. In both races the peloton rides on a local circuit in the city.

Last year Tim Wellens won the GP de Montréal. He’s already looking forward to this year’s edition. Also Lotto Soudal sports director Herman Frison likes the races in Canada and the very good organisation. With the good results of last year he’s confident about the team that will represent Lotto Soudal this year.

Tim Wellens said: 

“I felt bad for a while after the Olympic Games in Rio. My preparation for the Canadian races wasn’t perfect because it took me a while to get back in good condition. My last race was Plouay and it wasn’t good. Since yesterday I started to feel better and the trainings are smoother. I always like to go to Canada. The organisation is really good and the hotels are nice. I also like the fact that we have to do local laps. There are a lot of fans along the road and the atmosphere is really nice. Of the two races, Montréal suits me better but Québec is a very beautiful city to ride through.

“Like every year there will be several contenders for the victory, it is the same favoruites as usual. The ideal scenario for me would be to finish alone like I did last year. However also Pim Ligthart is doing really well at the moment and maybe he’s able to do something special. In Montréal the finale usually starts in the last lap. There are two points where I can make a difference and that’s where I’ll have to attack if I want to win.”

Herman Frison added:

“It’s always nice to go to Canada. The organization is very professional and the atmosphere is really good. The hotels, the cars and the course, it’s all very well organized. About the races we must say that they are pretty tough. Last year Tim Wellens won for Lotto Soudal in Montréal and we had a good result with Tony Gallopin in Québec. The course is the same as every year so we know it pretty well by now.

"Anyway, for us the weather conditions play a major role. Last year it was really hot in Québec and because of that the finale started late and it was a big group of riders at the start of the last climb. In Montréal on the other hand, the weather was really bad, which was a good thing for Tim Wellens. In bad weather the peloton breaks into pieces, or a small group is able to stay ahead.

“Even though the races are at the end of the season, there are always a lot of big names on the start list. Some of them are still in good condition; others are feeling the end of the season and are getting tired. 

"Originally it was a different line-up for Lotto Soudal but because of crashes, injuries and several other races that are scheduled right now we had to make some changes to the selection. We may not have the strongest possible team at the start but I do believe that we can do a good job. Tim Wellens and Tiesj Benoot are the leaders and the other riders have to do whatever it takes to help them. It would be easier for the team if we have a rider in the breakaway. Anyway, if that doesn’t work out, we won’t be the team to control the race.”

Line-up Lotto Soudal: 

Lars Bak, Tiesj Benoot, Kris Boeckmans, Sean De Bie, Pim Ligthart, Jürgen Roelandts, Jelle Vanendert and Tim Wellens.