The top professional cyclists in the world have assembled for the fifth edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec City held on Friday, September 12 in the Canadian province of Quebec. Defending champion Robert Gesink (Belkin) will be absent from the start line, as he was committed to competing at the Vuelta a España, however, the race will showcase 2012 winner Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).
Arthur Vichot (FDJ.fr) will no doubt want to have another run at the finish line on the Grande Allée after placing second last year behind Gesink in a hard-fought slog across the last few hundred meters, which are slightly uphill. Likewise, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) will want to improve on his third-place performance last year.
Some of the notable contenders, if the race comes down to a larger group and perhaps a sprint, are Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) who has had a strong season with wins at Milan-San Remo, a stage at the Tour of Norway along with two stage wins at the Tour de France. He is in top one-day race form as well, having recently won Vattenfall Cyclassics and he will be leading Norway at the World Championships at the end of the month.
