Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selections that will participate in two Canadian races, Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Sept. 13th, and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Sept. 15th. OPQS arrives with a competitive team led by riders such as Niki Terpstra, Sylvain Chavanel, Matteo Trentin, and Michal Kwiatkowski.
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec is a 16-lap circuit of 12.6km for a total of 201.6km. It is a course for climbers and skilled descenders, and also includes an uphill finale. The climbs of the race include Cote de la Montagne (375m, 10% average gradient), Cote de la Potasse/Des Glacis (420m at 9% average gradient), Montee de la Fabrique/Des Jardins (190m, 7% average gradient), and Montee du Fort/Saint Louis/Grande Allee (1km, 4% average gradient).
Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal consists of 17-laps, covering 12.1km each for a total of 205.7km. There are three challenging climbs: Cote Camilien-Houde (1.8km, 8% average gradient) Cote de la Polytechnique (780m, 6% average gradient) — which also has a ramp of 200m at 11% — and Avenue du Parc (560m at 4% gradient). The race finishes on the aforementioned third climb.
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