Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is a prestigious one-day professional road cycling race held annually in Montreal, Quebec. Established in 2010, it forms one half of the Laurentian Classics, paired with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec held two days earlier. The race is renowned for its challenging circuit around Mount Royal, featuring significant cumulative climbing that tests the world's top riders. As a UCI WorldTour event, it brings elite international cycling to Canadian audiences and serves as a key late-season race on the global calendar.
History and Significance
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal was first held on September 12, 2010, as the concluding event of that year's UCI ProTour. Its creation, alongside the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, established a pair of major North American races in late summer, filling a gap in the international calendar. Collectively known as the Laurentian Classics, these two events quickly became coveted objectives for riders targeting the one-day classics. A notable achievement within these races is the Laurentian Double, winning both the Quebec and Montreal events in the same year, first accomplished by Simon Gerrans in 2014 and later by Michael Matthews in 2018.
The event's historical significance is cemented by its connection to major past competitions on the same terrain. The circuit around Mount Royal has a rich pedigree, having been used for the 1974 UCI Road World Championships, where the legendary Eddy Merckx triumphed, and for the road race events during the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. This legacy provides a direct link between contemporary champions and the history of the sport. The city and the race course are also set to host the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, confirming Montreal's status as a world-class cycling destination and a key part of the sport's future.
Race Route and Circuit
Unlike point-to-point races, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is a circuit race held on a demanding 12.3-kilometre loop around Mount Royal. The circuit's primary challenge comes from its four distinct climbs per lap, which accumulate 4,842 metres of total elevation gain, a vertical ascent comparable to a major mountain stage in the Tour de France. The relentless, repetitive nature of the climbs makes it a severe test of endurance and explosive power, favouring puncheurs and all-rounders who can handle steep, repeated efforts. The specific climbs on the circuit have evolved slightly over time. The traditional ascents include the Côte Camilien-Houde, a 1.8-kilometre climb with an average gradient of 8 percent, the Côte de la Polytechnique at 780 metres and 6 percent, and the finish climb on Avenue du Parc, which is 560 metres long at a 4 percent grade. A new climb on Pagnuelo Street, measuring 534 metres with a 7.5 percent average gradient, was added to the circuit as of the 2022 edition, increasing the overall difficulty.
Notable Past Events on the Circuit
- 1974 UCI Road World Championships: The professional men's road race was won by Belgian champion Eddy Merckx.
- 1976 Summer Olympics: The road cycling events for the Montreal Olympics were contested on this circuit.
- Coupe du Monde Cycliste Féminine de Montréal (1998 to 2009): This was a round of the UCI Women's Road World Cup.
Winners and Statistics
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal has been won by a variety of top-tier cyclists since its first edition. The winners' list includes specialists in hilly one-day races and strong climbers capable of surviving the relentless ascents. No single rider has won the event more than once, highlighting the competitive depth of the WorldTour peloton and the unpredictable nature of the course. The race has seen victories from riders representing multiple nations across Europe and the Americas, reflecting its status as a global event.
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is a one day professional bicycle road race held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Its first edition was held on September 12, 2010. The race has had winners from many different countries. The winners list shows the international diversity of champions who have triumphed on the Mount Royal circuit.
| Year | Winner | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Robert Gesink | Netherlands |
| 2014 | Simon Gerrans | Australia |
| 2018 | Michael Matthews | Australia |
The race is part of the UCI WorldTour. The event attracts top professional cyclists. The race is held in September, which is late in the season. The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec are collectively known as the Laurentian Classics.
The Laurentian Classics and the Double
Together, they are marketed as the Laurentian Classics, a unique Canadian doubleheader on the UCI WorldTour. The proximity of the races in both time and geography allows teams to travel efficiently between them, while the courses, though both hilly, present different challenges. The Quebec race is slightly shorter and features a shorter, steeper finishing climb, while Montreal's longer circuit with more cumulative climbing demands greater endurance from the riders. Winning both races in the same year, known as the Laurentian Double, is a rare and prestigious accomplishment. Only two riders have achieved this feat since the pair of races were established. Australian Simon Gerrans was the first to do so in 2014, demonstrating his versatility and form across the two distinct courses. Four years later, in 2018, another Australian, Michael Matthews, matched this achievement. The double requires a combination of explosive power for Quebec's finish and sustained climbing strength for Montreal's longer efforts, making it a true test of a complete one-day racer's capabilities.
Future Developments
The future of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal looks to build on its established success while expanding its scope. A significant development goal, as indicated by organisers in 2024, is the creation of a women's professional race to run alongside the men's event. The ambition is for this race to join the UCI Women's World Tour, the top tier of women's professional cycling, which would provide parity and present the world's best female cyclists on the Mount Royal circuit. This move would align with the global growth of women's cycling and fill a notable gap in the North American calendar for high-level women's competition.
The most significant upcoming event for the circuit is the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, scheduled for September 2026. The championships will use a course similar to the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal circuit, bringing the sport's ultimate annual prize, the rainbow jersey, to the streets of Montreal. Hosting the World Championships represents the pinnacle of organisational achievement and will focus the global cycling community's attention on Canada. It promises to be a landmark event that will further cement the legacy of Montreal's challenging and historic race route for years to come.
Questions about Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
When and where is the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal held?
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is a one day professional bicycle road race held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Its first edition was held on September 12, 2010. The race uses a hilly circuit around Mount Royal. The riders race for 18 laps on a 12.3 kilometre long circuit.
What is the Laurentian Double in cycling?
The Laurentian Double is the achievement of winning both the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in the same year. The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec are collectively known as the Laurentian Classics. In 2014, Simon Gerrans became the first to achieve the Laurentian Double. In 2018, Michael Matthews became the second cyclist to achieve this.
How difficult is the Montreal race circuit?
The Montreal race circuit is a hilly circuit around Mount Royal. Each lap of the circuit requires completing four climbs. These climbs are Côte Camilien Houde, Côte de la Polytechnique, Avenue du Parc and the new section on Pagnuelo street. The race has 4,842 metres of cumulative climbing, similar to that found in a mountain stage in the Tour de France.
Will there be a women's Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal?
In 2024, organisers noted that they wished to stage a women's race in future. They have the potential to make it part of the UCI Women's World Tour. This plan is for a future edition of the event. The circuit previously hosted the women's Coupe du Monde Cycliste Féminine de Montréal until 2009.
What major cycling event is coming to Montreal in 2026?
In September 2026, the 2026 UCI Road World Championships will be held in Montreal. The championships will be held on a similar course to the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. This is a planned future event. It continues the history of the circuit hosting world class competitions.
Has the circuit been used for other major races?
Yes, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal circuit on Mount Royal has been used for several other major international cycling events. The circuit was first used for the 1974 UCI Road World Championships, where Eddy Merckx won the elite men's road race. It was also the course for the road race events at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. A women's World Cup event, the Coupe du Monde Cycliste Féminine de Montréal, was held on this circuit from 1998 through 2009. This historical usage demonstrates the circuit's long standing significance in professional cycling.
Sources and further reading
- Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (Wikipedia)
- Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal | UCI WorldTour (gpcqm.ca)
Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.
