Race Report: The twelfth version of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec was gained by Arnaud De Lie. The Belgian gave the impression to be in a hopeless place to start out the ultimate dash, however managed to cross Corbin Sturdy and Michael Matthews with a powerful dash. It’s a particular victory for the nonetheless solely 21 year-old De Lie as it’s his first triumph at WorldTour stage.
Québec’23:
The WorldTour peloton traveled to Canada for the GP de Québec and the GP de Montréal. The Québec race was held on Friday. The route was similar to final yr and 2019. Sixteen laps of 12.6 kilometres, for a complete distance of 201.6 kilometres with virtually 3,000 metres of climbing. It could be a battle between the puncheurs and the sturdy sprinters. Earlier than the beginning, Mattias Skjelmose, Valentin Madouas, Christophe Laporte, Arnaud De Lie and Matej Mohorič had been the begins of the day. After some preliminary fruitless assault makes an attempt, Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal Fast-Step), Gianmarco Garofoli (Astana Qazaqstan) and David Lozano (Staff Novo Nordisk) escaped the peloton. Jonas Iversby Hvideberg tried to affix them, however failed.
The lead of Vansevenant, Vacek, Lozano and Garofoli was at 4 minutes. Within the peloton, the chase was led by the boys of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty for Biniam Girmay and Tudor for the Dane Alexander Kamp. These groups caught the escapees 40 kilometres from the end. The race was about to blow up, however Ilan Van Wilder of Soudal Fast-Step crashed with a number of different riders within the feed zone. Van Wilder was quickly again on his bike and was in a position to rejoin after a chase, however the peloton was now at prime pace. There was a brand new choice as Fausto Masnada attacked on the entrance and the retiring Daryl Impey was in bother on the again. The Italian of Soudal Fast-Step was pulled again, however his assault was a catalyst for a brand new acceleration from the peloton, however once more these makes an attempt had been shortly nipped within the bud. When coming into the final 30 kilometres, Lidl-Trek put the strain on. This resulted in a brand new choice, however there was no break up. We began the final two laps of the GP de Québec with a peloton of 80 riders. An assault got here 16 kilometres from the end and it was Ben Healy who tore the race aside. This didn’t final lengthy, as a result of Pavel Sivakov made his transfer, however the French-Russian climber additionally did not get away. Nicola Conci was the subsequent to strive, however once more it got here to nothing.
No break succeeded
On the bell for the ultimate lap, the entrance group consisted of about 70 riders. A bunch dash appeared to be a really sensible state of affairs, though there have been just a few brief climbs earlier than the end. On the Côte de la Montagne there was an assault by Benoît Cosnefroy. The Frenchman gained in Québec final yr after a late escape and needed to repeat that win. The Frenchman opened a promising hole, however turned out to not be sturdy sufficient to proceed his effort. Cosnefroy was caught once more with simply over 2 kilometres to go and the bunch might put together for the dash. Jumbo-Visma opened the lead-out for Laporte, however the Frenchman wasn’t positioned effectively. Corbin Sturdy was in the correct place and gave the impression to be on his technique to a shocking victory, however Arnaud De Lie got here very quick from behind and sprinted handed everybody on his technique to his first WorldTour victory.
A late dash from Arnaud De Lie
Race winner, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny): “As a bit of boy, I watched the race on tv and to win right here on my debut and already including this victory to my palmarès is unbelievable. I attempted to save lots of as a lot vitality till the ultimate dash, that was essential at this time. As that is solely my first time racing GP Québec, I’ve watched the previous editions many occasions and it realized me loads. We rode the proper race with the crew, however I used to be a bit far in the direction of the ultimate dash. Fortunately I nonetheless had two teammates left who introduced me up. I needed to launch early and had some work to do however I might take an excellent pace and held it to the road. To beat riders corresponding to Corbin Sturdy and Michael Matthews on finishes like these shouldn’t be simple. So I’m over the moon with this primary victory on WorldTour stage. The GP Montréal remains to be a bit more durable and Maxim Van Gils ought to be our predominant man for the race. However with the form I’m in, one thing is likely to be attainable, who is aware of.”
Large win for De Lie
fifth, Matej Mohorič (Bahrain-Victorious): “In the present day, the objective was to attend for the ultimate dash as a result of we thought it might be the perfect probability to get a consequence right here. I’ve been feeling good currently, and we hoped I might take it right here to the races in Canada. The fellows did an excellent job taking care of me, and in the long run, Pello delivered me completely in third place within the essential nook on the backside of the final steep climb with 4km to go, leaving it as much as me to complete it off. I performed it a bit of bit protected, waited for the ultimate dash, and didn’t fairly have the legs to get on the rostrum, however fifth remains to be an incredible consequence, and I’m pleased with it. I’m feeling a bit fatigued after a protracted, profitable season and the half after the Tour, so I’m beginning to really feel it, however at this time was an excellent consequence, and we hope for an additional good run on Sunday.”
A really comfortable younger De Lie
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec End result:
1. Arnaud De Lie (Bel) Lotto Dstny in 4:47:36
2. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Michael Matthews (Aus) Jayco AlUla
4. Alex Aranburu (Spa) Movistar
5. Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain-Victorious
6. Christophe Laporte (Fra) Jumbo-Visma
7. Alexander Kamp (Den) Tudor
8. Marc Hirschi (Sui) UAE Staff Emirates
9. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step
10. Mattias Skjelmose (Den) Lidl-Trek.
The 2023 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec podium: Corbin Sturdy (Israel-Premier Tech), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny) and Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla)
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