"We may not have the overwhelming favourite in our team, but we have a very strong squad" - Visma head to Canada backing Matteo Jorgenson and Tiesj Benoot

On the 13th and 15th of September, the peloton heads to North America and to Canada for the 2024 GC Quebec and GP Montreal. One of the teams heading with strong hopes of victory, will be Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

"We may not have the overwhelming favourite in our team, but we have a very strong squad," says Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director, Frans Maassen in a preview for the team's official website. "Matteo Jorgenson is our leader, although I think the Quebec race could be something for Per Strand Hagenes. Quebec usually ends in a sprint with a reduced group. Montreal is more challenging because of the longer climbs. I think both races will be a good test ahead of the World Championships."

One of those key cogs in the Visma set up alongside the aforementioned Jorgenson and Hagenes, will be Tiesj Benoot, with the Belgian making his fifth trip to North America. "These races suit me and I've been working towards them," he explains. "The races in Canada are always special and remind me of the World Championships because of the circuit laps. There are also many riders here who will be in Zurich."

Benoot also has fond memories of his time in Canada, having raced the GP Montreal as a neo-pro all the way back in 2015. "It was one of the toughest races I have ever ridden", he recalls. "It was raining all the time and much of the peloton didn't make it to the finish. My teammate Tim Wellens won and I finished fifth. As a neo-pro it was a very good result."

"We're aiming for the best possible result. With Matteo Jorgenson, Wilco Kelderman, Per Strand Hagenes and myself, we have several riders who should be able to play a significant role in the final," Benoot says confidently of this year's edition. "Quebec is perhaps a bit more suited to the explosive riders, but Montreal is really a race for the climbers. Looking at our team, I think it suits us better. The condition is good. Both in Plouay and at the Renewi Tour I achieved an acceptable level, even if it didn't lead to a high classification. I'm very motivated to get a solid result in Canada."

Matteo Jorgenson
Per Strand Hagenes
Tiesj Benoot
Wilco Kelderman
Milan Vader
Jan Tratnik
Bart Lemmen