Canadian cyclist Michael Woods raced hard to secure an eighth-place finish at the Montreal Grand Prix on Sunday. (Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)
Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian cycling sensation, claimed a stunning victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal on Sunday, leaving his competitors trailing behind. Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion and leader of UAE Team Emirates, finished the gruelling 209.1-kilometre race in Montreal with an impressive 24-second lead over Spain’s Pello Bilbao from Bahrain-Victorious.
The sunny 28°C weather didn’t deter Pogacar as he crossed the finish line with his arms raised in celebration, even slowing down to high-five fans along Avenue du Parc. This dominant performance added yet another title to his already remarkable year, following his wins at the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia. France's Julian Alaphilippe from Soudal Quick-Step took third place, further highlighting Pogacar’s undeniable superiority.
Pogacar's performance was so commanding that Canada’s Michael Woods, who finished eighth, remarked it felt like everyone else was racing for second place. Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind Pogacar, expressed admiration, calling him the greatest rider of all time. “If you’re not at your absolute best, it’s impossible to compete with him,” said Woods.
Pogacar's Montreal win was his second victory at this event, having first won it in 2022. He redeemed his disappointing seventh-place finish just two days earlier at the Quebec City Grand Prix, where Australia’s Michael Matthews claimed his third victory. Reflecting on his journey from Quebec to Montreal, Pogacar said, “I was frustrated with my seventh place in Quebec because I knew I had more in me. Winning here feels amazing.”
The Montreal course featured 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal, demanding both endurance and strategy. With 23 kilometres remaining, Pogacar made his move, surging ahead of the peloton and never looking back. Though Bilbao, Alaphilippe, and a few others tried to chase him down, Pogacar held firm, building a 35-second lead by the final lap. His precision and team strategy were key in executing his plan flawlessly.
For Woods, racing on home soil was bittersweet. After securing a stage victory at the Spanish Vuelta just weeks prior, the Ottawa native had hoped for a podium finish. Though he didn’t achieve that goal, Woods still felt proud of his performance, saying, “I animated the race and pushed hard. But sometimes, the result doesn’t match your effort.”
Among the other notable Canadian participants, Derek Gee of Ottawa, who made waves earlier this year with a ninth-place finish at the Tour de France, placed 48th. Quebec’s Hugo Houle finished 51st, sharing his experience of watching Pogacar prepare to attack in the final laps. "When you hear Pogacar's team talk about an attack, you know it's over for the rest of us," Houle commented.
The event was a tough challenge, with 4,573 metres of altitude and only 89 of the original 169 riders managing to complete the race. While Pogacar celebrated his victory, eyes are already turning to the upcoming world championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The prestigious event, running from September 21 to 29, will see Pogacar aiming to join cycling legends Eddy Merckx and Stephen Roche as the only men to win the Triple Crown — a season feat that includes victories at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and World Championships.
With his Montreal triumph fresh in mind, Pogacar is full of confidence. "This win has given me the confidence and motivation I need for Zurich. I feel ready," he said.
