(Quebec) It’s not just the tram and running in life, even for the mayor of Quebec.
Bruno Marchand made a vibrant plea for cycling in general and women’s cycling in particular during the opening press conference of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Wednesday afternoon.
“Quebec will become the Belgium of cycling”, he even predicted, both for the organization of a competition at the highest level and for sports, recreational or simply utilitarian practice.
Developments are on the rise in the nation’s capital and àVélo, the self-service electric bike rental service, is enjoying great success in its second year of existence. Even Ivan Waddell, a member of the 1988 and 1992 Olympic teams, got in on the action.
“No matter how you ride a bike, we’re all cyclists,” Marchand said. Unfortunately – or fortunately – climate change means that we will all be even more so, whether we like cycling or not. And if we never want to take the bike, we will be happy that others take it, it will free up space for us. And for that, we need to make space, create opportunities, create places, but also support our Grands Prix. »
Everything to please Sébastien Arsenault. The CEO of the Grands Prix is seeking to renew the agreement with Quebec which expires this week. Clearly, there is trust on both sides.
The mayor of Quebec began his speech by welcoming the presence in the room of Marion Rousse. The director of the Tour de France Femmes and consultant for France Télévisions will analyze the two races live on TVA Sports, Friday and Sunday.
Bruno Marchand described the former French champion as a “great contributor” to the growth of women’s cycling.
“Thank you for doing this work towards equality, towards parity, towards this ability to tell our girls that there is room for them too”, launched the one whose daughter competes.
“Happy and very proud” to be the subject of such a tribute, Marion Rousse was surprised by the mayor’s exit.
“We really felt that it wasn’t a pre-written speech. It was completely natural. We also feel that he is passionate about sports. »
This discourse is in line with what she hears in her country. “It shows that mentalities have changed and that gender equality in cycling is very important. Women’s cycling is doing well. Since the creation of the Tour de France Femmes [in 2022], from a spectacle point of view, we have nothing to envy of men’s cycling. »
Asked about this, Sébastien Arsenault testified to the openness for the organization of a women’s race. “It would be a dream,” responded the businessman, reiterating however that such a test should be held under the same conditions as those of men “from A to Z”.
“It would take political will because our events are mainly financed by public authorities. But I believe they have a good return on investment. […] We have the potential to take this even further in Quebec and Montreal. This is our dream and, yes, it happens through women. »
In the meantime, Marion Rousse is familiarizing herself with the Quebec accent, her first fear when the organization contacted her…
A year after the emotional announcement of his surprise retirement, Antoine Duchesne is back in Quebec to lend a hand at the Grands Prix Cyclistes (GPCQM).
As an ambassador to the “Leaders’ Club”, the 31-year-old ex-racer will share his experience as a double participant in the Tour de France, the two other grand tours (Vuelta and Giro) and the Olympic Games.
Duchesne also supports team members in all aspects of the organization. Without knowing where it will lead him, the Saguenean sees his involvement as “a duty”.
“Without the Grand Prix invitation, I would not have participated in the race in 2012 and I would not have met the sporting director Sébastien Joly who hired me at Europcar the following year and whom I joined more later at Groupama-FDJ. »
The former Canadian champion is not sure he wants a career in race organization, but he wants to pass on his knowledge, particularly to younger people.
One thing is certain, those in charge of the GPCMQ want to integrate him into their team in anticipation of the World Championships in Montreal in 2026.
After selling his house in France, Duchesne will move to Quebec in the fall with his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old son. Before leaving France, he kept in shape by handling the grelinette to landscape his magnificent garden.
Still holder of a third WorldTour license from the International Cycling Union, Sébastien Arsenault has not given up on the idea of creating a third race in Quebec. “We would add three days [to the event]”, calculated the CEO of the GPCQM, who does not rule out the possibility of modifying the traditional calendar, i.e. an event in Quebec on Friday and another in Montreal on Sunday.
At first glance, the new competition would be less demanding and could appeal more to sprinters.
Arsenault referred to the Estrie region for its “magical topography”, its “enchantment of colors in the fall” and its proximity to Quebec and Montreal. He mentioned Bromont and its new velodrome as a starting or passing point.
“Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est was ready to put in a good amount of money, in the seven figures, for three years,” revealed the organizer who must “re-discuss with the provincial people.”
“That’s the next step. It must come from the province. These are political wills. I sometimes wonder: are they giving too much for the bike? Because we have just made requests for the [2026] World Championships. But I think we also give a lot. »
One cyclist seemed intrigued by the presentation of the World Championships in Montreal in 2026: Julian Alaphilippe. On paper – and if he has not declined by then – Marion Rousse’s husband would be a runner tailor-made for Mount Royal.
In four appearances in Quebec, the former double world champion has never managed to get on the podium, finishing seventh in the metropolis in 2016 and seventh in the city of Régis Labeaume in 2019.
“It’s because there is more, because I make mistakes, because I don’t have the level to win at that moment, I don’t know,” assessed Alaphilippe on Wednesday.
The Frenchman from Soudal Quick-Step recalled that he had never won in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where the profile is nevertheless favorable to an explosive cyclist like him.
“I love the courses [in Quebec City and Montreal]. These are dynamic races. There is movement. These are puncher type races, I can’t ask for more. But you have to be 100% to win this kind of race. »
He’s not yet, but he promised to “give his all” for his team this week.
