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The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is the second half of the new Canadian weekend of UCI ProTour racing in 2010.

Following the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Friday September 10th, the riders and the race entourage will travel by train between the two cities, with organisers combining sport and tourism thanks to themed train wagons and the possibility to see the riders close up. The Grand Prix de Montréal will be held on Sunday September 12th.

The two races are additions to the UCI ProTour but Montreal has a special place in the hearts of cycling fans. It hosted the 1974 UCI Road World Championships, the Grand Prix des Amériques professional race between 1988 and 1992 and hosts a round of the UCI Women Road World Cup.

Canada’s Steve Bauer won the first edition of the Grand Prix des Amériques in 1988, with Jorg Muller, Franco Ballerini, Eric Van Lancker and Federico Echave adding their names to the race’s list of winners.

The legendary Eddy Merckx won the world title in 1974 and the 2010 Grand Prix de Montréal will use much of the same circuit through the spectacular Parc du Mont-Royal in the centre of Montréal. The race will cover 206km with a total of 2600 metres of climbing. Just like the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal will suit an aggressive classics rider who knows how to win a sprint.

“This is a huge win for Québec and Montréal, which now rank among the world’s great cycling destinations,” said Serge Arsenault, President of Grand Prix Cycliste UCI ProTour Québec-Montréal as Canada regains its place in the world of cycling.