If it Weren’t for Two Bike Races in Quebec, I Wouldn’t Be Here
The influence of the GPCQM goes far beyond their cities
“I had to use some of my vacation time for my moonlighting in September 2010.”
Almost 10 years ago, I was on Park Avenue in Montreal at a barrier as the peloton of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal rode past me. The force of the air that hit me when the riders went by reminded me a little of the blasts a subway forces into your face when it comes into a station. It was all so new to me.
Months before, I had known the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal were going to make their debuts. I was your typical cycling fan, watching Grand Tour stages on the sly at work via dodgy video streams. I was the managing editor at a noncycling magazine. Early in 2010, I planned to do some freelance work on the side about my passion: cycling. Without an actual assignment, I sent an email to the gpcqm. My hope was simply to develop the right contact. Soon after, to my surprise, I heard from the race founder himself, Serge Arsenault. He generously fielded my questions (as he did once again for my story on the GPS on p.36). From there, I landed a short story i n a Canadian outdoor-pursuits magazine, and later, an assignment to do some online coverage of the races for the same publication. I had to use some of my vacation time for my moonlighting in September 2010.
I learned a lot at those races about how to cover live cycling, like where to be after the finish to scrum riders for quotes. A fearless media car driver got me right up to the breakaway on the twisty streets of Quebec City. In Montreal, I saw a young Peter Sagan come in second in a performance that alluded to what was ahead for the Slovakian rider. In 2011, I made sure that I kept some vacation days reserved for the GPS. That year at the race in Montreal, I had a good chat with the publisher of this magazine.
When I spoke with James Piccoli about the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal for the story in this issue, he mused that if it weren’t for that race, he might not have become a pro cyclist. I can identify with that. If it weren’t for the races in Quebec City and Montreal that have been bringing Worldtour pros to Canada for 10 years, I probably would not be the editor of this magazine. As I write in the story, the effects of those races are wide ranging. For me, they are personal.
Because of that connection, I’m watching the developments of the all-in-the-fall road season (‘100 Crazy Days,’ p.28) keenly, especially as they affect the Quebec GPS. As I write this, they are scheduled to run. As you read this, they might be cancelled.
I sincerely hope they return. Those races are great for the riders and fans, and so many more.