Australia’s Michael Matthews Claims his Third Victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec

September 13, 2024 - (Québec City, Que.) Michael Matthews (Australia) Team Jayco AlUla won the 13th edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and thus completed a hat-trick of victories winning as well in 2018 and 2019, to become the record holder of the event.

Michael Matthews (Australia) Team Jayco AlUla wins the 13th edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec for a hat-trick of victories. © James Startt

It was his 7th podium finish in Quebec (2nd in 2015, 3rd in 2017, winner in 2018 and 2019, 2nd in 2022, 3rd in 2023 and winner this year), also claiming a victory in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in 2018.

Final podium (l-r) Biniam Girmay 2nd, Michael Matthews 1st, Rudy Molard 3rd. © Yves Perret

The Australian won the final sprint today ahead of Eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), who finished second with Frenchman Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) taking third.

The final kilometers of the race were marked by attacks from Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) UAE Team Emirates and Arnaud De Lie (Belgium) Lotto Dstny, but they were finally caught a few kilometers from the finish line.

Race action at the start/finish… © Yves Perret

“This victory means a lot to me. My season started well with the classics and then I had no results until today. To come back here and win today is very special. To win my third Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, I faced probably the strongest field I’ve ever raced against here. It’s an emotional moment for me because I recently lost my grandmother,” said Matthews.

Michael Matthews in numbers
4 – number of wins at the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec (3 times) and Montréal (1 time)
8 – his number of podium finishes at the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec (7 times) and Montréal (1 time)

Massive crowds take in the race action… © PETE Photographie

“It was a tough day. Compared to last year, the race was harder, my legs felt like they were hurting, and the last two laps were difficult. My team did a great job and I got myself back into contention in the last 600 meters, but Michael Matthews was the strongest rider today,” said Girmay, who claimed second at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec 2024.

Canadians Jonas Walton and Felix Hamel… © PETE Photographie

“I’m just very happy, I want to enjoy it. Third place here is really a great reward for me after a very complicated start to the season. I had a good feeling in training. I’ve recently been a dad, so this podium is for my son Gino,” said Molard, who took the final podium spot at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec 2024.

PODIUM
1. Michael MATTHEWS (Australie) Team Jayco AlUla 4:45:36
2. Biniam GIRMAY (Érythrée) Intermarché-Wanty st
3. Rudy MOLARD (France) Groupama-FDJ st

BEST CLIMBER
Tadej POGACAR (Slovénie) UAE Team Emirates

MEILLEUR CANADIEN – BEST CANADIAN
Guillaume BOIVIN (Can) Israel – Premier Tech

Full results here.

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