Gerrans Does the Double in Canada
15 September 2014
Australian champion Simon Gerrans has become the first rider in history to complete the Canadian double today, backing up his Québec victory on Friday with another impressive win at the Grand Prix Cyclist de Montréal today.
In another inspiring team effort, the ORICA-GreenEDGE outfit dominated the final kilometers of the 205.7km World Tour race, a complete lead-out still present despite a hugely reduced field.
“I couldn’t have asked any more of the team again today, Gerrans said. We set out a plan at the start of the day, everyone followed it perfectly and the race unfolded exactly as we wanted. To still have four or five teammates there coming into the final was amazing so I am just really happy to be able to finish off some great teamwork again.”
After crashing and later withdrawing from this year’s Tour de France, Gerrans has rebuilt his 2014 season hoping to continue his form into the world championships in two weeks’ time.
“It’s only comparative to everyone else, the 2014 Liège-Bastogne-Liège champion said of his form. I have worked pretty hard after the Tour de France and just tried to maintain things for the last few weeks leading into these races. Hopefully I still have a little bit to find before the world championships in a couple of weeks.”
Much like Quebec, the peloton began today’s race relaxed as a four-man breakaway, including Jan Polanc (LAM), Louis Vervaeke (LTB), Ryan Roth (CAN) and Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ), built up a gap of almost 11minutes.
ORICA-GreenEDGE again took responsibility for much of the early chase, this time with Mathew Hayman for the long haul.
Eventually back together for the final lap, the attacks began and Gerrans maintained his position up front. As the front couple of groups joined together, the 34-year-old was reunited with his teammates as they began their domination on the remaining field.
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