Organisers have included support races for junior, senior, master's men and women on the Saturday before the Montreal-Quebec classic on August 13. The new edition of the race will be called the Louis-Garneau Québec – Trois-Rivières challenge.
"We are happy to sponsor a quality race not only for elite cyclists, but also for junior cyclists, tomorrow’s stars", said Louis Garneau.
The new national-level race is sanctioned by the Canadian Cycling Association (CAA), so competitors can collect points to improve their national ranking. The challenge will depart in front of the Louis Garneau factory in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and race to the arena Jean-Guy Talbot in Trois-Rivières. The 109-kilometre race is mostly flat.
Sunday's 252-kilometre pro race is the longest and oldest in North America and attracted over 200 riders last year. The race being is sanctioned as a national event, so riders can collect points for the national classification. To register, cyclists must hold a senior 1-2-3 or master A license.
The race was first organized in 1931. Since 2002, Louis Garneau and Jean-Yves Labonté have sponsored the race, helping ensure that the race finishes near Garneau's factory in Quebec.
