Canadian WorldTour races set stage for World Championships

The 2026 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec begins Friday, September 11, marking the start of a pivotal weekend of WorldTour racing in Canada. The event is followed by the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Sunday, September 13. These two one-day races are the only UCI WorldTour stops in North America this season and serve as a key test for the UCI Road World Championships, which will be held on the same Montréal circuit later in September. A strong field has assembled for the Canadian classics, headlined by Remco Evenepoel, Isaac del Toro, and Tom Pidcock. The 19-year-old Paul Seixas is also expected to contend. Notably absent is defending champion Julian Alaphilippe, who is not on the start list following his recent retirement announcement. Star rider Tadej Pogačar will also miss the races due to an injury sustained at the Vuelta a España. The Grand Prix de Québec covers 206 kilometers over 20 laps of a 10.3-kilometer circuit. This represents a significant change from previous editions, with the shorter lap increasing the frequency of key climbs. The course features 2,780 meters of elevation gain, with the Côte de la Montagne serving as the primary launchpad for attacks.