What Is 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal was a one-day professional cycling race held on September 13, 2015, in Montréal, Quebec, covering 201 kilometers. Michael Matthews of Australia won the race, edging out Peter Sagan and Greg Van Avermaet in a sprint finish.

Key Facts

The race took place on September 13, 2015, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
It covered a total distance of 201 kilometers with 12 laps of a 16.75 km circuit
Michael Matthews from Australia won the race representing Orica-GreenEdge
Peter Sagan finished second, and Greg Van Avermaet placed third
The event was part of the UCI WorldTour, the highest tier of professional road cycling

Overview

The 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal was a prestigious one-day professional road cycling race held on September 13, 2015, in Montréal, Quebec. It was the sixth edition of the race and part of the UCI WorldTour calendar, attracting top-tier teams and riders from around the globe.

Set on a challenging 16.75 km circuit in Mont-Royal Park, the race demanded repeated climbs and technical descents, testing riders' endurance and tactical awareness. With a total of 201 kilometers completed over 12 laps, the event culminated in a dramatic sprint finish among a select group of breakaway contenders.

Distance: The race covered a total of 201 kilometers, with riders completing 12 laps of a 16.75 km circuit route through downtown Montréal.
Winner:Michael Matthews, representing Orica-GreenEdge, claimed victory in a tightly contested sprint, marking his first win in a UCI WorldTour one-day race.
Podium:Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished second, while Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) took third place, both finishing in the same time as Matthews.
Course Difficulty: The circuit included a steep 1.1 km climb at an average gradient of 7.5%, repeated 12 times, making it a selective and physically taxing route.
Participation: A total of 25 teams with 7 riders each participated, including all 17 UCI ProTeams, ensuring a high level of competition.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal is structured as a one-day classic, part of the elite UCI WorldTour series, where teams compete for points, prize money, and prestige. The race format emphasizes endurance, positioning, and tactical awareness due to its repetitive circuit design.

Race Format: The event is a one-day road race held on a closed-loop circuit, requiring riders to complete multiple laps under changing fatigue conditions.
Team Strategy: Teams deploy domestiques to protect their leaders, control the pace, and respond to attacks, especially on the repeated climb.
Scoring System: As a UCI WorldTour event, it awards 100 points to the winner, contributing to individual and team rankings for the season.
Weather Impact: In 2015, temperatures hovered around 18°C with partly cloudy skies, ideal for racing but still challenging due to humidity.
Prize Money: The total prize purse was US$45,000, with the winner receiving $12,000 and additional bonuses for stage-like achievements.
Neutralization: The first lap is typically neutralized for safety, with no time gaps allowed, allowing teams to settle into the race rhythm.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2015 Montréal race with other key one-day events in the 2015 UCI WorldTour season:

Race	Date	Distance	Winner	UCI Points (1st)
Montréal GP	September 13	201 km	Michael Matthews	100
Paris-Roubaix	April 12	257.5 km	John Degenkolb	100
Ronde van Vlaanderen	April 5	264.4 km	Alexander Kristoff	100
Liège–Bastogne–Liège	April 26	259 km	Simon Gerrans	100
Tour of Flanders	October 4	260.4 km	Alexander Kristoff	100

The 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal stood out for its late-season timing and North American location, offering a unique challenge compared to the cobbled classics of spring. While shorter in distance, its repeated climbs and technical descents made it one of the most physically demanding races of the year, especially given the late-summer heat and humidity.

Why It Matters

The 2015 race was significant for elevating the global profile of professional cycling in North America and showcasing Montréal as a world-class host city for elite sports. It also provided crucial UCI points during the final stretch of the season, influencing team and individual rankings.

North American Presence: The race is one of only two UCI WorldTour events held in North America, the other being the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec two days prior.
Global Exposure: Broadcast in over 120 countries, the event increased visibility for Canadian cycling infrastructure and urban planning.
Rider Development: Young talents like Matthews used the race to prove themselves against seasoned champions such as Sagan and Van Avermaet.
Urban Impact: The event brought an estimated 150,000 spectators to the city, boosting tourism and local businesses.
Environmental Integration: The course design minimized environmental disruption by using existing park roads and temporary closures.
Legacy: The success of the 2015 edition helped secure the race’s continuation through 2023, ensuring long-term investment in Canadian cycling.

Overall, the 2015 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal was a landmark event that combined athletic excellence with international appeal, reinforcing Montréal’s reputation as a premier destination for elite cycling competitions.