Benoot and Maassen Look Back at Memorable Canadian Races
The races in Quebec and Montreal have always been considered ideal preparation for the World Cup, but this year things are different. The peloton is heading to North America for these races after the World Championships have already taken place.
Despite the change in timing, sports director Frans Maassen is optimistic about the upcoming races: “There is a chance of rain. That could well affect the course of the race. In recent years, these races have often been decided on the last lap. I wouldn’t dare predict that it will be the same this year. It could be a very open race that gets tough early on. That’s fine with us. We have a strong group ready to fight for the prizes.”
One of the strong riders in the team is Christophe Laporte, who Maassen believes has a good chance of performing well in the GP Québec: “It seems that riders with a good punch have a good chance of winning here. Christophe is a rider who can perform well on a course like this. And the race on Sunday better suits Tiesj.”
Tiesj Benoot himself agrees with Maassen’s assessment: “Compared to the three thousand in Quebec, the race in Montreal has a few more altitude meters. That makes it more of a climbers’ race. The final lap often decides the outcome. As a team, we have to be on our toes all day long to be able to fight for the podium. The race might break open early, especially if it rains. That’s fine with me. I feel I’m ready and am really confident. I have completed this race three times before.”
Benoot also mentioned that his shape is good, particularly after participating in the Bretagne Classic last week: “It was my first race after not racing for four weeks. I was able to fight for the win, so that’s a good sign. I took a break after the Tour and the World Championships. I noticed that I was suffering a bit from decompression. Along with my family and friends, I attended a training camp. There, I was able to do the necessary work and enjoy myself. As a result, I started the last part of the season with renewed courage. If I feel comfortable in the race and can do my own thing, I can get good results in these two races.”
The races in Canada hold a special place in the team’s history, with Robert Gesink having won both races in the past. Speaking about Gesink’s victory, Maassen recalls: “It was a beautiful victory that came completely unexpected. Robert attacked but was caught. At that point, I didn’t think he would win. But he managed to bounce back and stay in the front group. In the sprint, he attacked early and miraculously pushed his bike over the line first. The joy was immense.”
Finally, the team expressed their appreciation for Rohan Dennis, who will be participating in the races for the last time before leaving the team due to a persistent physical ailment: “We appreciate the fact that he came here. It shows how professional Rohan is. He never hesitated and was ready to help the team when the situation called for it. He would have deserved a nicer farewell, but it is the way it is”, Maassen concludes.
Overall, Team Jumbo-Visma is eager to make their mark in the Canadian races and continue their successful season.
