UAE Team Emirates-XRG has confirmed its lineup for the upcoming Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, two of the most important one-day races on the international cycling calendar.
The Canadian races, scheduled for September 11 and September 13, are widely regarded as key preparation events for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships. At the same time, both races carry significant prestige on their own, attracting many of the world’s top riders.
The Emirati team heads to Canada with high ambitions after a successful campaign in 2025. Last year, the squad finished second in Québec through Pavel Sivakov before claiming victory in Montréal thanks to Brandon McNulty. That triumph formed part of a memorable one-two finish for the team, with Tadej Pogačar crossing the line just behind his teammate.
This season, McNulty returns to Canada as the defending Montréal champion and is expected to play a leading role once again.
The team will be directed by Sports Director Simone Pedrazzini and features a powerful lineup that combines experience, climbing strength, and race-winning ability. The squad includes Isaac del Toro, Felix Großschartner, Brandon McNulty, Jhonatan Narváez, Florian Vermeersch, Tim Wellens, and Adam Yates.
Attention will be focused on Mexican star Isaac del Toro, who will make his first appearance in Canada. Del Toro arrives in strong form after recently winning the Tour de Luxembourg and is considered one of the riders to watch during the Canadian races.
The young rider expressed excitement about competing in North America for the first time.
Del Toro said he is looking forward to experiencing both races after hearing so much about them throughout his career. He noted that Québec and Montréal are demanding events with strong fields and provide an excellent opportunity to finish the season on a positive note.
The opening challenge will come in Québec, where riders face a 205.5-kilometer route featuring approximately 2,820 meters of climbing. The race has traditionally favored versatile riders who can climb well but still possess a strong finish.
The course includes repeated ascents of the Côte de la Montagne, Saint-Louis, and George VI climbs before concluding on the historic Plains of Abraham. Previous winners have included several of cycling’s top one-day specialists, highlighting the race’s demanding nature.
While Del Toro brings fresh energy to the team, Tim Wellens adds a wealth of experience. The Belgian rider will compete in Canada for the twelfth time and knows the races exceptionally well.
Wellens won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in 2015 and remains one of the most experienced riders in the peloton when it comes to the Canadian classics. His knowledge of the courses could prove valuable for the team’s ambitions this week.
The second race, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, is expected to be the tougher challenge. UAE Team Emirates-XRG has dominated the event in recent years, winning the last four editions.
Those victories came through Tadej Pogačar in 2022 and 2024, Adam Yates in 2023, and Brandon McNulty in 2025. The team will aim to continue that remarkable winning streak this weekend.
McNulty said returning as defending champion brings special memories. He described last year’s victory as an unforgettable moment and expressed confidence in the strength of the current squad.
According to McNulty, both Canadian races require riders to be at their best, and success depends on having a strong team capable of racing aggressively and creating opportunities throughout the day.
This year’s Montréal race will cover 214.6 kilometers and features a slightly modified route designed to resemble the course planned for the upcoming World Championships.
Riders will complete 16 laps of a demanding 13-kilometer circuit around Mount Royal. The route includes several challenging climbs that are expected to shape the outcome of the race.
Among the key ascents are Côte de Camilien-Houde, Côte de Polytechnique, and Côte Pagnuelo. Combined, these climbs contribute to a total elevation gain of 4,362 meters, making Montréal significantly harder than Québec.
With the World Championships only weeks away, many riders will view the Canadian races as a final opportunity to test their form against elite competition. That added motivation is expected to produce aggressive racing and a highly competitive field.
For UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the goal is clear. The team arrives with one of the strongest lineups in the race and hopes to add another major victory to an already successful season while continuing its impressive record on Canadian roads.
