Jayco rider Michael Matthews dedicated his win at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec on Friday to his recently passed away grandmother after edging Biniam Girmay in the last sprint.
Michael Matthews takes the win in Quebec after attacking earlier in a chaotic sprint finish 🔥#roadcycling pic.twitter.com/DbrBe5WloL
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 13, 2024
On his first race since completing the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia double Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar broke early but ended seventh.
Le finish du Grand Prix de Québec 2024. Michael Matthews connaît cette arrivée par coeur ! 🏆
— GPCQM (@GPCQM) September 13, 2024
That's how @blingmatthews won the Grand Prix Québec for the third time! 🏆#GPCQM pic.twitter.com/uPU6K2yAiV
He tried to drop his rivals in the final lap but was reeled in by defending champion Arnaud de Lie.
A chasing elite clique however engulfed them with around 1km to go with Matthews cruising ahead from 150 metres for the win.
"My grandmother passed away on Wednesday and I dedicate this to her," said Matthews. "I knew I had the power to do a 20 or 30-second sprint so I went early.
🗣️ Michael Matthews : "I hope I can stay with the favourites for the final sprint" 🇨🇦🚴#cycling #MichaelMatthews #gpquébec #gpmontréal #cyclinglife #GPCQM @GreenEDGEteam pic.twitter.com/yqM4MqKloH
— Pickx Sports (@PickxSports) September 13, 2024
"Tadej is the No 1 in the world, I'm a fan also, the fans love him but I'm here to do my job and win the race," he said.
Eritrean Girmay said he suffered toward the end of the race after a fast pace.
"My legs were hurting at the end, especially with the pace Tadej set over the last two laps."
The race over sixteen laps of 12.6km around the city of Quebec was contested if perfect racing weather for the 13th edition of the event.
A second Canadian race in the city of Montreal takes place on Sunday with a more hilly route.