Peter Sagan sprints to victory at GP Quebec

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec in Canada, sprinting out of a reduced bunch to take another WorldTour victory. The world road champion scored his eighth win of the season in WorldTour, and the 11th overall.

The world champion and current WorldTour ranking leader took the victory ahead of Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) in second and Anthony Roux (FDJ) in third.

The first of two WorldTour Laurentian Classics was 16-laps of a 12.6-km circuit with several stings in its tail: the Cote de la Montagne (375-metres of 10%), the Cote de la Potasse (420-metres at 9%), the small Montée de la Fabrique climb and then the finishing grind up to the line, one kilometre of 4%.

First six riders flashed away on Lap 1, with two others bolstering the move. In this first break were Team Canada and Silber member Nicolas Masbourian and Lotto-Soudal’s Lars Bak (Denmark). The octet pulled out 4:30 by the end of two laps. Orica-BikeExchange’s Canadian Christian Meier led the peloton with teammate Michael Matthews, the 2015 runner-up, in mind. Etixx-QuickStep worked for Julian Alaphillipe (France).

Halfway through the race, the gap had been clipped to 3:25. As BMC cranked it up on Lap 12’s passage of the Potasse, Peter Sagan (Slovakia/Tinkoff) lost contact with the field. Bak ripped away from his breakmates on the long drag to the Grande Allee finish.

Stage winner at the 2012 Giro d’Italia, Bak carried on solo on Lap 13. First an attack by LottoNL-Jumbo and Astana riders closed the gap before Luke Rowe (Sky) and Alaphilippe reached Bak and then left the Dane behind. The new front duo led through the first half of Lap 14 but were reeled in.

The action was hot heading into Lap 15. Thirteen riders, including Direct Energie’s Canadian Antoine Duchesne, scampered away. Last season’s Vuelta a España champion Fabio Aru and two Lampre riders were included. But a lack of cohesion doomed the bunch. One of the Lampre riders, Slovenian Matej Mohoric, carried on alone.

Mohoric was brought to heel and then it was Paul Voss’s turn just before the bell lap. Bora-Argon 18’s German led onto the Plains of Abraham. Oliver Naesen (Belgium/IAM) then had his solo bid in the final 9-km. AG2R grabbed the reins in the peloton and Naesen was lassoed with 3.3-km remaining.

On the Montagne Etixx-QuickStep’s Matteo Trentin (Italy) attacked with Alaphilippe and Gianni Moscon (Italy/Sky).

Moscon left the Etixx duo behind. Suddenly reigning champ Rigoberto Uran loomed into view and passed everyone on the long drag into the headwind. It looked like he had the race in the bag, but Sagan, who had been playing possum all day, ripped by the faltering Uran on the left. Sagan adds the GP Quebec to his 2013 GP Montreal win. Olympic roade champion Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium/BMC) was the runner up.

Peter Sagan commented "I didnt expect this story to happen! Life is full of surprises. Thank you Tinkoff Team, good job!"

VIDEO: Grand Prix de Quebec 2016 HD - Final Kilometers

Ride with Peter Sagain this November at his VIP Charity Ride

A 2-day VIP Cycling Event Like Never Before

Park City, Utah September 5th, 2016– KL Promotions LLC, in partnership with Conejo Pacific Events, are excited to announce the Peter Sagan VIP Charity Ride coming to Westlake Village, CA on November 18-20. One of the greatest talents on two-wheels, one of the most likable personalities in the pro peloton, and the man who is more stylish than anyone in “green” is coming to So Cal for an intimate weekend of cycling, dining, and good times.

Westlake Village has become a road cycling mecca and is one of Peter's favorite places to train and race. As a child, Peter was given the gift of the bicycle and now he wants to give back the gift he was given as this event will support the Boys & Girls Club of America. “Hello, I hope you will join me in Westlake Village for a weekend to ride bikes and help the kids, it will be fun, no” said Sagan

Cycling analyst and event guest speaker, Steve Porino, will be on hand to call the shots. “I’ve been following Peter around the world on the back of a moto for years. I really look forward to finally catching up with THE most exciting and inspiring rider in the sport” said Porino

For the first time ever now is the chance to be part of Peter’s peloton as space is limited to 198 participants.

This all-inclusive weekend will include 2 nights of world class lodging, fine dining, two fully supported rides, massages, and a limited edition swag bag.