(Quebec) Derek Gee was just 13 years old when he attended the very first Montreal Cycling Grand Prix on September 12, 2010.
With his father, the Ottawa cyclist had joined the West Quebec Wheelers, a local club, to pedal to the metropolis the day before departure. The next day, he treated himself to a tour of the circuit in the morning.
After the victory of the Dutchman Robert Gesink, the teenager obtained an autograph from Thomas Voeckler, who had won two days earlier in Quebec. The French champion had given him his custom-made gloves in blue-white-red colors.
“It was really fantastic because it was the first time I saw real pros in real life,” smiled Gee during a press briefing with Hugo Houle and Guillaume Boivin on Thursday afternoon in Quebec .
After a longer wait than expected due to two cancellations due to the pandemic, Derek Gee can no longer hold on to the idea of participating in the races that made him dream.
Alongside his compatriots Houle, Boivin and Michael Woods, he will be this “real pro” who will get on his bike to defend the colors of the Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) team at the 12th Quebec Cycling Grand Prix on Friday.
Gee did not steal his selection from these classics in which he was not originally supposed to take part. It was only by accumulating exploits at the last Giro, in May, that he dared to ask for this favor from the leaders of IPT.
“As soon as I started getting results, I asked: “Hey, can I do Quebec-Montreal?” »
“Unknown” at the start of his first grand tour, which he simply wanted to complete, the 26-year-old Canadian was the revelation of the 106th Tour of Italy, at the end of which he was elected the most combative rider.
Four times second and twice fourth, the only thing he has failed to accomplish is winning a stage.
“Next year the big goal will be to get a victory in the Giro or in a grand tour. It’s not a goal I would have set for myself before, but after coming so close, so many times, I really want one! »
Gee, who won an unprecedented contract extension until 2028, is not obsessed with the Tour de France, at least not for next year, even if he obviously sees himself there one day.
The slender 1.89m athlete will already have the advantage of speaking French, which seemed to surprise his teammate Boivin: “You’ll have to be careful, I didn’t know he spoke as well as that! »
For Quebec and Montreal, Gee modestly announced that he was there to gain experience above all.
After his participation in the Glasgow Worlds, where he finished 17th in the road time trial and contributed to Canada’s sixth place in the men’s track pursuit, he took part in the Renewi Tour in Belgium (72nd) and took 40th at the Maryland Classic on Sunday.
Gee was unable to comment on the current condition of his legs. Feeling his neighbor’s thigh, Houle, third in Maryland, assured that everything was in order… The rookie is counting on a teammate like him to introduce him to the subtleties of these circuit events.
“These races are a huge goal for the rest of my career,” Gee said. This year I believe there will be a lot of learning, especially from the more experienced guys. But I feel like I know the courses well having seen them so often on TV. I think Montreal suits me better. It’s certain that one day, I want to have the level to achieve an excellent result here. »
It will then be his turn to inspire young runners and, who knows, give them his maple leaf gloves. Those of Voeckler, to whom he told the anecdote from 2010 when meeting him at the World Championships last year, are still in his childhood bedroom at the family residence in Ottawa.