September 15, 2024 - (Montréal, Que.) Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) UAE Team Emirates soloed in for the win at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal claiming his second victory after winning back in 2022. The Slovenian won ahead of Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious and Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Soudal Quick-Step.
With twenty-three kilometres to go, Pogacar attacked with two laps to go, breaking away alone and going solo until the finish-line for the victory. It was his first win since claiming the Tour de France this summer.
Spaniard Pello Bilbao crossed the line 24 seconds after the Slovenian for second place, with Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe sprinting through a small group to take third place on the podium. It was a third consecutive victory for the UAE Team Emirates, after Adam Yates won last year and Pogacar in 2022. The Slovenian becomes only the second cyclist to claim a double on Avenue du Parc, after Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (2016 and 2019).
“It was a great race today and we made it difficult in the final laps. My team was up to the task, my team-mates prepared my attack with two laps to go, it was perfect. The atmosphere was incredible, it was different two years ago when I first came here. I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd on the finishing straight, during the last kilometer. There were people all over the circuit, and I’m very happy to be riding in this atmosphere in Canada,” said Pogacar at finish.
Tadej Pogacar by the numbers
2 – the number of times Tadej Pogacar has taken part in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal, winning twice.
22 – the number of victories for Tadej Pogacar since the start of the 2024 season.
“My team and I went through some pretty difficult times this season, with results that didn’t live up to our expectations. But since the Tour of Britain, the curve has been turning and we arrived in Canada with confidence and a strong team. The team rode perfectly today and this second place is a just reward. I’m really enjoying being here, and it’s important for us to gain confidence for next season,” commented Bilbao who took silver at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal 2024.
“I’m really pleased to finish third in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. I’ve never been on the podium before, either in Quebec or in Montreal. These are races I’m particularly fond of, and it’s always a special atmosphere. I think we rode a perfect race, tactically and in terms of positioning in the final laps. It was the legs that made the difference. I couldn’t do better than third today, so I’m very happy with my performance,” stated Alaphilippe, who landed third on the final podium at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal 2024
PODIUM
1. Tadej POGACAR (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 5:28:15
2. Pello BILBAO (ESP) Team Bahrain Victorious at 0:24
3. Julian ALAPHILIPPE (FRA) Soudal Quick-Step at 0:40
BEST CLIMBER
Tadej POGACAR (SLO) UAE Team Emirates
BEST CANADIAN
Michael WOODS (CAN) Israel – Premier Tech
Full results here.
