Canada
2015 GPCQM Montreal
Forty eight hours after Rigoberto Uran won GPCQM Quebec on a sunny afternoon, the same field raced 205km under cold and miserable conditions in Montreal. Tobias Ludvigsson. Tom Boonen, Ramunas Navardauskas, and Philippe Gilbert on a climb just 2km into the circuit race. Davide Formolo and Michal Kwiatkowski. Greg Van Avermaet. … Continue reading
2015 GPCQM Quebec
Waiting for the start Alexander Kristoff, Guillaume Boivin, Philippe Gilbert, Ryder Hesjedal, and Romain Bardet. Hugo Houle and Michal Kwiatkowski. Etixx Quick Step. Riding laps of Côte des Glacis The peloton approaches. An early mechanical for Kristoff. The peloton. The 6 man break away. Nate Brown in … Continue reading
2014 GPCQM Montreal
Since last year we learned it was super difficult to get rider autographs at the Montreal sign on, we mostly just relaxed and watched the team presentation this morning. We did manage to talk with a few riders, including Phil Gaimon. Talking with Phil was a big goal for the weekend and he was nice … Continue reading
2014 GPCQM Quebec
It wasn’t quite as easy to get rider autographs this year as it was last year, but meeting up with a couple of local friends from last year, getting to watch the race with Hermano and Wifey, and with a strong field contesting the win, it was bound to be a great day regardless of … Continue reading
2014 GPCQM Sprint Challenge
With the pair of Grand Prix races starting tomorrow, today saw the 4th annual Sprint Challenge. It’s a fun concept: each team fields one rider for the 1k course in a knockout tournament. Understandably, some riders take it more seriously than others but it’s still a fun warm up race to the upcoming main events. … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 5
I don't think the clouds checked the weather forecast today. There was supposed to be a 20% chance of showers, but instead it was a steady rain through much of the morning. Rather than make the riders stay in the rain any longer than necessary, Andrea and I were happy to forego autographs and wander … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 4
Let's take a moment to appreciate the official race vehicles. A couple of days ago, the photographers and race crew started to recognize Andrea and I. Since we were at the sign on with plenty of time (and there was hardly a soul there who wasn't working for the race), the announcer Dave Towle … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 3
While waiting for the first of the riders to sign on, race announcer Dave Towle called up Canadian former cyclist Gord Fraser for a chat. Andrea and I flipped and flopped about which one of two spots we wanted to be in for the sign on but we decided to stay put when we … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 2
After yesterday's monsoon, which left my shoes soaking well through the following afternoon, today's mild temperatures and even bursts of sunshine were particularly appreciated. There was a good turnout at the arrival town of Red Deer's festival. Andrea and I grabbed some space on a sweeping corner and got ready to watch the peloton … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 1
Stage 1 of the second annual Tour of Alberta headed south of Calgary for six laps around Lethbridge. Here's the most important thing you need to know about today in Lethbridge: it rained. Now, I've stood in some good downpours at the races before, but the merciful weather gods have typically allowed a scalding … Continue reading