Team Jumbo-Visma faced tough competition in the GP de Montréal, with Tiesj Benoot and Christophe Laporte representing the Dutch squad. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t secure victory in the challenging Canadian race.
The peloton began the race under rainy conditions, covering over 200 kilometers and completing eighteen local laps. The course favored climbers, featuring three challenging ascents.
As the race progressed, Laporte struggled to keep up and was momentarily dropped from the group. He later rejoined the main group, which included Benoot. However, on the final local lap, Laporte was once again unable to maintain the pace, while Benoot rode in one of the groups behind the winner, Adam Yates, ultimately finishing in 11th place.
Benoot expressed his disappointment, saying, “I needed just a few percentage points more to ride for the podium. The harsh weather conditions combined with the difficult course made it a race for the climbers. I felt great until the last lap. When Yates attacked, I couldn’t follow. For a while, it looked like I was still in contention for third, but by the end of the race, I was finished. A top-ten finish still seemed possible, but unfortunately, I just did not manage.”
Despite the outcome, Benoot reflected positively on his experience in the Canadian races. “It was six years since I last rode in these races. It is an excellent experience to ride here. It is also a good prelude to the 2026 World Championships in Montréal. I noticed in the last two races that I’m in good shape towards the end of the season. That is a pleasant observation. Hopefully, I can end the cycling year well in the coming weeks.”
