Remco Evenepoel wins Grand Prix de Québec sprint as Paul Seixas makes racing return

Evenepoel claims sprint finish in Quebec

Remco Evenepoel won the Grand Prix cycliste de Québec on Friday, capturing his first victory on Canadian soil. The Belgian rider representing Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe triumphed in a three-man sprint against Giulio Ciccone and Anthon Charmig. After a calm opening half of the 20-lap circuit race, the peloton accelerated as UAE Team Emirates and Red Bull pushed the pace to eliminate the early breakaway and reduce the size of the main group.

Evenepoel attacked with approximately 30 kilometres remaining, pulling away with Ciccone and Charmig. The leading trio maintained a slim advantage that stayed within twenty seconds over the chasing riders. Accelerations from Thomas Pidcock, Quinn Simmons, and Matteo Jorgenson failed to bridge the gap before the finish, allowing Evenepoel to hold off Ciccone in the sprint to take first place.

Seixas tests form in return from Tour de France

The event served as the racing return for French rider Paul Seixas of the Décathlon team, competing for the first time since taking fourth place at the Tour de France. Seixas attacked on the 16th lap of the circuit, forcing a selection that included Isaac Del Toro, Juan Ayuso, and Evenepoel. Ahead of the start in Canada, Seixas reflected on his form and the competitive field:

I feel ready, but the best test will be the race. It will not be easy because there is a lot of adversity. It is good to be able to gauge myself against them. It will be a good test to validate the preparation.

Seixas finished outside the top 20 after efforts to organize the chase group stalled without strong cooperation among the chasers. In the sprint for the peloton positions, Seixas made contact with another rider's wheel and swerved, remaining upright but causing a crash that brought down Juan Ayuso.

World Championships preparations and roster changes

The race opens the Canadian block of racing that leads directly to the Grand Prix de Montréal and the UCI Road World Championships, scheduled for 20 to 27 September in Montreal. Reigning world champion Tadej Pogačar will travel to Canada despite being unable to compete due to injuries. Pogačar crashed at the Vuelta on 29 August, sustaining a concussion, a fractured left collarbone, and a fractured seventh cervical vertebra. Slovenia national selector Uroš Murn told the daily Dnevnik that Pogačar will arrive on Tuesday to support his national teammates and his partner Urška Žigart in the women's road race.

Tadej will arrive on Tuesday and will stay until the end of the championships.

National selections face additional adjustments ahead of the Montreal races. France confirmed that Louis Barré was ruled out of the men's road race after fracturing a wrist during training, with his replacement scheduled to be announced in the coming days. In the women's category, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot ended her racing season early, leaving the French squad to be led by Juliette Berthet, Cédrine Kerbaol, and Célia Géry.