Two young gunslingers with no experience in Canada gave the more experienced old hands a beard on the streets of the capital in the 12th centurye Quebec Grand Cycling Prize.
• Also read: The race takes place in Quebec
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Like the results elsewhere on the planet, the new generation shows no complexities towards the established hierarchy, an expression that almost belongs to another era of cycling.
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The only 21-year-old Belgian Arnaud De Lie achieved his first success at the highest level in his promising sprint career. Once you leave the junior level, there is no longer any question of studying. The hopefuls want to win immediately.
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“It’s just incredible. Be 21 and win here in Quebec! It’s my best career win. My goal was to concentrate fully on the sprint. I was the one who said at the beginning of the year that I wanted to come here. I thank them for their trust,” said the color bearer of the Lotto DSTNY team.
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Quebec culture
Little known to the general public, De Lie was greeted after the finish line by another Belgian, his teammate Maxim Van Gils, who, with a broad smile, had learned a magnificent Quebec church saying to congratulate him.
“I told him not to say that,” joked Quebecer Guillaume Boivin.
Guillaume Boivin during the Quebec Cycling Grand Prix, Friday September 8, 2023. DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
De Lie notably won two stages of the Étoile de Bessèges and one stage of the Tour de Wallonie this season. He most recently distinguished himself at the Renewi Tour in August. The new champion says he was inspired by Matthews, Sagan and Van Avermaet, who always performed well.
“In a really strong sprint like this, that’s not the case. I had ambitions and it wasn’t just an illusion. Now I can say that I have it in my track record,” added De Lie, who we will definitely see again in Quebec.
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Another teenager
23-year-old New Zealander Corbin Strong, hailed as a great talent by his teammates Houle and Woods at Israel-Premier Tech, also has a winning record, taking second place in the 201st 6-kilometer race. With a name predestined, Strong had finished in the top 10 twice at the last Tour de France. This result should give him a lot of confidence.
“He just needs to gain experience. He has shown what he is capable of. “We have already achieved a podium and we can think of even more on Sunday in Montreal,” added Guillaume Boivin, happy with the day.
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The two youngsters easily beat 32-year-old warrior Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla), the double winner from 2018 and 2019. The more experienced cyclist, who many saw reclaiming his crown, climbed to the podium for the sixth time in Quebec.
“The audience was incredible. I did my best and it was third place. I’m happy with that,” explained the Australian.
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No rain
The scenario hoped for by some more risk-taking drivers did not materialize as the street circuit remained dry throughout the race. The showers and the threat of thunderstorms that had been announced for a few days had no impact on the final result. With less than 1000 meters to go, more than sixty cyclists were still gathering behind the Château Frontenac.
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A breakaway group consisting of four less threatening riders did not worry the rest of the group in the least. The refugees were caught 43 kilometers from the finish, but it was only an acceleration by Irishman Ben Healy on the last climb of the Côte de la Montagne that got the peloton going.
The winner of the 2022 event, Benoît Cosnefroy, attempted to defend his title with a solo attack four kilometers from the finish, but failed before the red flame.
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Quebec Mayor Bruno Marchand was a very attentive spectator throughout the day and said he felt like a kid in a candy store.
DIDIER DEBUS SCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
12th Quebec Grand Cycling Prize
- 201.6km
- Average speed: 42.05 km/h
1. Arnaud DE LIE (Lotto DSTNY)
4:47:36
2-Corbin STRONG (Israel-Premier Tech) mt
3-Michael MATTHEWS (Team Jayco Alula) mt
4-Alex Aranburu (Movistar) mt
5-Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) mt
6-Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) mt
7-Alexander Kamp (Tudor) mt
8-Marc Hirschi (UAE) mt
9-Julien Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) mt
10-Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl Trek) mt
41. Guillaume Boivin (Israel-Premier Tech)
49. Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech)
50. Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech)
66. Pier-André Côté (Canada)
BEST CLIMBERS
- Neilson POWLESS (EF Education – Easypost)
BEST CANADIAN
- Guillaume BOIVIN (Israel Premier Tech)